An investigation has been launched by Belgium’s Ministry of Defense after 15 drones were spotted on Thursday night flying over the Elsenborn military base, near the border with Germany, according to reports in the local press.
The Ministry stated to Politico on Friday that the investigation is still ongoing. So far, it is not clear where the drones came from or who was operating them, although reports suggest they flew over the base and then headed toward Germany.
The incident in Belgium occurred during a period of increasing drone-related incidents disrupting European airspace.
Belgium: Investigation into 15 drones over military base near German border
That same night, a separate incident at Munich Airport forced air traffic authorities to temporarily suspend flights, resulting in the cancellation of 17 routes and affecting nearly 3,000 passengers.
“Munich Airport, in cooperation with the airlines, immediately took care of passengers at the terminals. Camp beds were set up, and blankets, drinks, and snacks were distributed,” the airport said in a statement on Friday.
At the same time, authorities reported that 15 incoming flights were diverted to Stuttgart, Nuremberg, Vienna, and Frankfurt.
In recent weeks, airports in Denmark and Norway have also suspended operations due to drone sightings in their airspace, sparking discussion within European circles about the need to create a “drone wall” along the eastern flank of the continent as a shield against Russian aggression.
In the most serious incident, nearly two dozen Russian attack drones entered Polish airspace, triggering a costly emergency response and the activation of allied defense systems.
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