Drone sightings shut down Brussels airport, target nuclear sites
Drone incidents continue to escalate in Belgium, forcing repeated closures of the nation's airspace.
Flights were suspended again on Thursday evening, November 6, at both Brussels (Zaventem) and Liège airports after multiple drones were observed in the vicinity.
The air traffic operator Skeyes confirmed that operations at Zaventem were halted around 9:20 PM. Following the standard procedure for a "serious observation," flights resumed after approximately a half-hour interruption. Crucially, air traffic disruption was simultaneously imposed at Liège airport for the same critical security reasons, RTBF reported.
The Thursday incident marks the third consecutive night of alert, following previous drone reports near the Brussels hub. The interruptions grounded eight scheduled departures and delayed 22 arrivals, reinforcing concerns about Belgian airspace security.
Nuclear power plant overflights and military bases targeted
The sightings were not limited to airports; the security threat is clearly broader. Seven drones were reportedly spotted that same evening near the Doel nuclear power plant, according to Belgian media. Local police also confirmed recent nuclear power plant overflights above the SCK CEN nuclear research center in Mol.
"We also saw them above the European Quarter and the European School," stated police spokesperson Robert Lehaen. He noted that while response crews deploy immediately to identify the aircraft and trajectory, nighttime conditions make this operation exceptionally difficult.
Furthermore, the concerning pattern extended to military facilities: several drones were observed near the Florennes airbase, which houses Belgium’s first F-35 fighter jets. Similar incursions were reported Tuesday evening. The previous weekend, the Kleine-Brogel military base—known to host American nuclear weapons—was overflown three times, prompting an investigation by Belgian military intelligence.
International response: Germany deploys forces to aid counter-drone defense
The wave of incidents, which suggests a severe security challenge, also extends beyond Belgium. In Sweden, authorities enforced an air traffic disruption over Gothenburg on Thursday evening after similar drone sightings. Flights were diverted to other hubs, including Copenhagen, and the city's airspace remains closed pending clarification.
In response to the repeated security breaches, Germany announced it is deploying troops to help Belgium bolster its counter-drone defense. German military assistance was swiftly confirmed by the German Ministry of Defence, which stated: "At the request of Belgium, the Bundeswehr will provide capabilities for combating unmanned aerial systems."
Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken confirmed the immediate arrival of the first German army forces. Their mission is "to assess the situation and coordinate the detection and defense against drones." He stressed that this rapid support demonstrates "the solidarity of European partners in the face of hybrid threats."
While authorities have not indicated a certain source, Minister Francken described the activity as a "coordinated operation by professionals" specifically intended to "destabilize Belgium."
Translation by Iurie Tataru
