In response to a surge in drone sightings near critical Belgian airports, the United Kingdom has pledged to send military personnel and specialized equipment to assist Belgium. The decision was announced by Air Chief Marshal Richard Knighton, head of the UK armed forces, following a formal request from Belgian authorities. Recent drone incursions have forced temporary closures at Brussels’ main international airport and Liege, one of Europe’s largest cargo hubs. Additionally, unidentified drones have been spotted near a military base housing US nuclear weapons, raising concerns over national security. Knighton emphasized that while the source of the drones remains unknown, the UK is committed to providing its expertise and resources to address the issue. The deployment of UK assets has already commenced. Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken speculated that some incidents may be part of a sophisticated espionage operation, ruling out amateur involvement. Belgium, home to NATO and EU headquarters, as well as a major financial clearinghouse holding billions in frozen Russian assets, has become a focal point of geopolitical tensions. While many EU nations advocate using these assets to support Ukraine, Belgium has resisted such measures. The drone incidents have underscored the growing security challenges facing Europe, with Russia often implicated in similar occurrences across the continent.
UK sends military experts and equipment to Belgium after drone sightings near airports
