US EditionBrussels, Liege airports closed for hours due to drones
- On Nov. 1, Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken said Belgium was targeted two consecutive nights by drones near the Kleine Brogel air base, with small drones testing radio frequencies followed by larger ones to destabilize.
- Authorities recorded 14 unidentified drone sightings across Europe in the last two months, with a peak between Sept. 20 and Oct. 5 concentrated in Denmark, Norway, Germany and Belgium along NATO's northern flank.
- Reported strategic links highlight that the Kleine Brogel air base hosts Belgium's F-16 fleet, received F-35 units last month, and is linked to sightings over a site reportedly housing U.S. tactical nuclear weapons.
- A helicopter was deployed to Kleine-Brogel after drones were spotted, and Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken said an investigation is under way, calling it `a clear mission targeting Kleine Broge` and noting legal limits on shooting drones down.
- NATO and the EU have been on high alert following recent airspace violations, and NATO warned Moscow at the end of September it would defend against further breaches while the European Commission proposed four defence projects including a counter-drone system.
243 Articles
243 Articles
Channel News Asia
Belgium probes drone sightings after flights halted overnight
BRUSSELS: Belgian authorities on Wednesday (Nov 5) investigated drone sightings that halted air traffic overnight at several airports, as flights resumed after hundreds of passengers were left stranded.The main airport in Brussels and another in Liege had to suspend arrivals and departures late Tuesday for se
Drone sightings force fresh flight cancellations at Belgium’s main airport
Dozens of flights at Belgium’s main international airport were cancelled on Wednesday after drone sightings overnight forced it to close temporarily, prompting Prime Minister Bart De Wever to convene a meeting with senior ministers to discuss safety concerns.
Associated Press News
Drone sightings force fresh flight cancellations at Belgium's main airport
Dozens of flights were canceled at Belgium’s main international airport on Wednesday after drone sightings overnight forced a temporary closure.
Liège airport also had to be closed. Brussels airport was only able to resume normal operations on Wednesday morning.
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