In brief
The UK will provide military support to Belgium following multiple suspected Russian drone incursions into Belgian airspace, which have raised alarm over threats to national security and civilian infrastructure. As air travel disruptions affect thousands, the UK aims to reinforce its alliances and respond to the evolving hybrid warfare tactics posed by Russia.
Britain is providing military support to Belgium after a series of suspected Russian drone incursions into its airspace, the new chief of the defense staff has said.
Sir Richard Knighton told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that his Belgian counterpart had asked for assistance earlier this week and that equipment and personnel were now on the way.
Brussels Airport was forced to close temporarily on Thursday night after drones were spotted nearby. They were also seen in other locations, including a military base.
This comes after several drone incursions over multiple NATO nations that disrupted air travel. Russia has denied any accusations of conducting hybrid warfare against allies of Ukraine.
Sir Richard noted that while it was unclear whether the incursions were directly orchestrated by Russia, it was plausible they had been ordered by Moscow. Defence Secretary John Healey emphasized the importance of alliances and collective resolve to defend against these hybrid threats.
Members of the RAF's 2 Force Protection Wing are likely to be deployed, and the UK plans to help Belgium by providing its military capabilities. The German defense ministry also announced support with anti-drone measures in response to Brussels' request.
About 3,000 Brussels Airlines passengers were affected by Thursday's disruption, leading to significant operational costs due to flight cancellations. The situation highlights the growing threats posed by drone activities, with suspicions shifting from mere territorial incidents to significant threats impacting civilian infrastructures across Europe.
The shadow defense secretary praised the decision to assist Belgium while also calling for an urgent review of defense spending, especially as the situation evolves across NATO due to increased threats from Russia. This defense escalation follows an alarming pattern of drone sightings in European airspace, which aligns with broader tactical incursions involving military assets from Russia.
The situation remains fluid as authorities investigate the motives behind these drone flights, underlining the critical need for readiness and collaborative security measures among NATO allies.
