Belgium has found itself at the center of an escalating security challenge as a wave of drone sightings has repeatedly disrupted critical infrastructure, from major airports to nuclear power plants. Despite having a specialized anti-drone unit ready for action, the Belgian federal police failed to deploy it during several high-profile incidents earlier this month, sparking questions about preparedness and coordination among authorities.
The most notable breach occurred on November 4, 2025, when unauthorized drones forced the shutdown of airspace above Zaventem Airport, Brussels’ main international hub. According to local media reports cited by Het Nieuwsblad and Belga, the federal police’s Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) team—established in 2021 and staffed by about 30 certified officers—was not contacted in time to respond. This unit is equipped with two antennas capable of detecting hostile drones, four jammers to disrupt their signals, and three net launchers designed to physically immobilize drones. Yet, none of these resources were put into play during the incident.
Authorities reportedly realized too late that they could have deployed the C-UAS team. The oversight led to the closure of Zaventem Airport and a flurry of criticism from both the public and political figures. The anti-drone unit, which has been operational for four years, was also absent during another incursion into Belgian airspace on November 6, 2025, as reported by Belga. These missed opportunities have led to increased scrutiny of Belgium’s ability to protect its airspace and critical infrastructure.
Over the weekend of November 8, 2025, the federal police took steps to bolster their defenses. As confirmed by internal sources to Het Nieuwsblad, the C-UAS team installed one detection antenna near Zaventem Airport and another in the center of Brussels. Security efforts were also extended to other key airports, including those in Ostend, Charleroi, and Liège. "We operate two antennas to detect hostile drones, four jammers to block them and three net launchers to immobilize them," an internal police source told Het Nieuwsblad. "We also ensure, as best we can, the security of the airports in Ostend, Charleroi and Liège."
But the threat was not limited to airports. On November 9, 2025, three drones were spotted flying over the Doel nuclear power plant, according to operator Engie and reported by Belga. Military bases and other sensitive sites have also experienced frequent drone sightings in recent weeks, raising the stakes and urgency of the situation.
The disruptions have not been confined to Brussels. At Liège Airport, drone activity has been especially persistent, with sightings reported almost daily during the week leading up to November 10. Flights were halted for 30 minutes on November 8, and operations were disrupted again the following evening, as detailed by De Standaard. Similar interruptions were observed at Brussels Airport on both Tuesday and Thursday evenings, compounding the frustration of travelers and airport authorities alike.
In the wake of these incidents, the Belgian Federal Police issued a press release on November 10, 2025, attempting to reassure the public. The statement emphasized that the issue of drone flights has been given the highest priority since it first arose. It also addressed concerns about transparency and the dissemination of incomplete information: "The necessary initiatives and appropriate measures were immediately implemented as part of the detection-identification-neutralisation strategy, in line with a joint approach with our partners," the release stated. The police further clarified, "The specialised resources of our anti-drone unit are deployed on the basis of a careful analysis that takes into account essential factors such as operational effectiveness, airport security and public safety."
Despite these assurances, the fact remains that the anti-drone unit was not brought into play during the most critical moments. The Belgian government has faced criticism for what some have called a lack of coordination and urgency. Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken took to social media to defend his department, noting that he has no authority over the police or the anti-drone unit. As Francken pointed out, "Zaventem Airport is not a military base but civil infrastructure." He explained that, under Belgian law, the army can only support police operations on domestic soil and that this has been the rule for more than a century. "In wartime, defence would take over of course—but we are not in that situation, at least not legally," he wrote.
Nevertheless, the army was discreetly deployed to help end the disruptions at Brussels Airport, as reported by De Standaard. This quiet military involvement signals the seriousness with which Belgian authorities are now treating the drone threat, even as the division of responsibilities between police and military remains a point of contention.
Recognizing the growing risk posed by hybrid threats—those that blur the line between traditional and unconventional attacks—Belgium has received support from its allies. On November 9, 2025, the United Kingdom announced it was sending troops and equipment to Belgium to help counter the drone threat, following similar commitments from Germany and France earlier in the week. British defence chief Richard Knighton told the BBC that British support was already being deployed. John Healey, the UK’s Defence Secretary, stated, "As the hybrid threat grows, our strength lies in our alliances and our collective resolve to defend, protect and deter attacks on our critical infrastructure and airspace."
Belgian Defence Minister Francken welcomed the British move, posting on X: "We are grateful to our British friends for their prompt support and solidarity. The deployment of a British anti-drone team in Belgium strengthens our collective security and demonstrates our unity in countering hybrid threats." The arrival of UK, German, and French assistance underscores a new level of urgency and international cooperation in the face of evolving security challenges.
While Belgium has agreed in principle to a €50 million action plan to address the drone issue, the events of the past two weeks have exposed gaps in the country’s immediate response capabilities. The repeated disruptions—and the delayed deployment of specialized resources—have made it clear that the coordination between agencies and the speed of decision-making are just as critical as the technology itself.
For now, Belgian authorities are racing to catch up, installing more detection equipment and working more closely with military and international partners. The hope is that these measures will be enough to prevent further disruptions and to reassure a public increasingly concerned about the vulnerability of the nation’s critical infrastructure to unmanned aerial threats.
As the dust settles, the lesson for Belgium—and perhaps for all of Europe—is that the challenge of securing the skies is no longer theoretical. With drones becoming ever more accessible and capable, the need for agile, coordinated, and transparent responses has never been more pressing.
