Why it matters:
Unidentified drones repeatedly appearing near Danish airports and military bases underscore growing security vulnerabilities in Europe’s airspace, with NATO members already on alert over suspected Russian activities in the Baltic region.
The big picture:
Drone incidents are not isolated. Copenhagen and Oslo airports were shut earlier this week after drones entered restricted airspace.
Similar breaches in Estonia and Poland have heightened NATO’s concerns over hybrid warfare tactics.
Denmark hosts U.S. and NATO forces, making its air bases a sensitive target.
What they’re saying:
Denmark’s prime minister has warned of a “serious attack on critical infrastructure,” hinting at possible Russian involvement.
Troels Lund Poulsen, Danish Defense Minister: Called the drone activity a “hybrid attack” involving different types of drones, saying the incidents “clearly do not look like a coincidence.”
Jesper Bojgaard Madsen, Danish Chief Inspector: “We cannot comment on the purpose of the drones or who is behind them. If we get the opportunity, we will take them down.”
Danish police: Confirmed “several drones with lights” at Esbjerg, Sonderborg, and Skrydstrup, but said it was not possible to identify or intercept them.
Key points:
- Aalborg Airport and Billund Airport, Denmark’s key cargo hub, were closed for an hour.
- Esbjerg, Sonderborg, and Skrydstrup air bases reported drone activity but remained open.
- Skrydstrup air base hosts Denmark’s F-16 and F-35 fighter jets.
- 3 major airports (Aalborg, Billund, Copenhagen) were disrupted in less than a week.
- Thousands of passengers were stranded after the Copenhagen and Oslo shutdowns.
- Multiple NATO states, Denmark, Estonia, Poland, and Norway, are reporting drone incursions in recent weeks.
- The incidents coincide with rising tensions between Russia and NATO over Eastern Europe.
- Denmark and its NATO allies are now reassessing counter-drone strategies to protect civilian and military infrastructure.
Hossein Vaez - A.Akbari
