Belgium suspects drones flying over base reported to host US nuclear weapons were 'spying'

Belgium’s defence curate said a bid of unidentified drones flying implicit a subject basal that is reported to location U.S. atomic weapons could beryllium portion of a spying operation.

Theo Francken wrote connected his X relationship that aggregate drones were spotted supra the Kleine-Brogel Air Base successful bluish Belgium implicit the weekend.

"A drone jammer was used, but without success... A chopper and constabulary vehicles pursued the drone, but mislaid it aft respective kilometers," helium said.

"Thanks to the defender for their attraction and follow-up. Thanks to the constabulary services. We proceed to fortify our vigilance successful bid to apprehend the pilots."

NATO COUNTRY REPORTS DRONES OVER LARGEST MILITARY BASE AFTER AIRPORT ATTACK, MULLS RESPONSE

Belgian Minister of Defense Theo Francken addresses the media during the authoritative F-35 opening ceremonial astatine Florennes Air Base connected October 13, 2025, successful Brussels, Belgium. (Thierry Monasse/Getty Images)

Francken told RTBF, Belgium's French-language nationalist broadcaster, the concern was "very concerning" and "worrying."

The defence curate added that the incidents were nether probe but suggested they could person been portion of a spying operation.

"They [the drones] travel to spy, to spot wherever the F-16s are, wherever the munitions are, and different highly strategical items," Francken told RTBF. "It's not a drone that conscionable happened to transverse the subject base. It was determination for a agelong time, truthful it was decidedly for spying."

RUSSIA SHIFTS FROM TALK TO ACTION, TARGETING NATO HOMELAND AMID FEARS OF GLOBAL WAR

Kleine-Brogel is integral to NATO’s atomic deterrence posture successful Europe and houses F-16 combatant jets, according to its website. The aerial basal said connected its website that the jets volition beryllium replaced successful a fewer years by the F-35A, the U.S. Air Force’s latest fifth-generation fighter.

Nuclear watchdogs person reported the basal arsenic location to U.S. atomic bombs nether NATO weapons sharing agreements.

A Belgian F-16 pitchy takes portion successful NATO’s "Steadfast Noon" atomic deterrence drill astatine Kleine-Brogel Air Base successful Belgium connected October 18, 2022. (Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP via Getty Images)

In a bid of airspace incursions successful September, Russian drones entered Poland and 3 MiG-31 combatant jets crossed into Estonia, prompting NATO craft to intercept and escort them out.

Belgium’s defence curate said helium couldn’t corroborate Russia was down the drones implicit Kleine-Brogel but noted the Kremlin’s motives were wide and accused Moscow of waging a "hybrid war" crossed Europe.

President Donald Trump told reporters successful September connected the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly that NATO countries should sprout down Russian craft that interruption their airspace.

A "No Drone Zone" motion is displayed successful cardinal Moscow connected January 11, 2024, prohibiting the usage of unmanned aerial vehicles successful the area. (Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP via Getty Images)

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NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte besides warned Moscow aft a bid of drone incursions that the 32-member confederation is prepared to support each inch of NATO territory.

"We are a antiaircraft Alliance, yes, but we are not naive, truthful we spot what is happening and whether it is intentional oregon not – if it is not intentional, past it is blatantly incompetence," helium said. "And of course, adjacent if it is incompetence, we inactive person to support ourselves."