Counter-drone defence in Belgium: Chief of Defence Vansina orders drones over bases to be shot down

Belgium is tightening its counter-drone defence: Chief of Defence Frédéric Vansina has ordered drones to be shot down if sighted again. This followed three consecutive days of sightings of drones of unknown origin – several times over Kleine-Brogel air base.

Counter-drone defence with limited means

Vansina admitted that Belgium has only limited resources against such drones – detection equipment, jammers and counter-drone guns alike. A programme to protect Belgium against drones is being implemented at an accelerated pace. The plan is to go to the Belgian Council of Ministers shortly.

A drone will only be shot down if this can be done without danger and without collateral damage, the Chief of Defence added. This is difficult, however, as the drones mostly fly at night and are small and extremely agile.

On Monday, Kleine-Brogel air base issued rules of conduct for the local population in the event of suspicious drone sightings. Suspicious activity must be reported to the police immediately; anyone seeing a drone should photograph or film it if possible.

Defence Minister Theo Francken described the incidents as a targeted operation. The drones had not reacted to jammers, he said.

Kleine-Brogel lies near the town of Peer in Flanders and is home to the 10th Tactical Wing of the Composante Air/Luchtcomponent (Belgian Air Force). The wing comprises two operational squadrons (31st and 349th) and an operational training unit; it flies the F-16A/B MLU.

As part of NATO nuclear sharing, tactical nuclear bombs have been stored at the base since 1984. According to Belgian media and international security institutes, these are ten to twenty US B61 nuclear bombs.