Germany has deployed military specialists to Belgium to support efforts against a surge in drone activity near critical military installations, some of which store nuclear weapons.
In a statement issued late Thursday, the Bundeswehr confirmed that personnel from the Luftwaffe, Germany’s air force, have already arrived in Belgium. These units are assessing the situation on-site and coordinating with Belgian forces. Additional German teams are expected to join them shortly.
Belgium sought assistance from Germany after reporting a “notable increase” in sightings of unidentified drones, particularly around military zones, the German government said. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius told Defense News that Germany was the only country able to provide “immediate and comprehensive” help with Belgium’s escalating drone issue.
The first reports of drone activity were recorded on October 31 over the Kleine-Brogel air base, followed by further incidents near civilian airports, which caused disruptions to air travel in the days that followed.
Kleine-Brogel is a high-security site that hosts U.S. nuclear weapons, while other bases affected by recent sightings include the one housing Belgium’s newly delivered F-35 fighter jets.
Belgian officials have stated they have “little doubt” that a state actor is responsible for the incursions, with Russia being identified as a possible suspect, according to local media citing intelligence sources.
In its announcement, the German government described the deployed troops as “specialized air force units trained to detect and counter small unmanned aerial systems.” Berlin’s defense ministry characterized the mission as temporary but did not disclose its expected duration or details about the specific units involved.
The ministry highlighted that the rapid response demonstrates NATO’s strong coordination and European unity in addressing “hybrid threats.”
