Defence ministers from five of Europe’s most powerful NATO members—Germany, France, Italy, Poland, and the United Kingdom—gathered in Berlin on November 14, 2025, to address a threat that’s been quietly growing across the continent: the rise of “hybrid threats” such as drone incursions, cyberattacks, and disinformation campaigns. The meeting, which included the European Union’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, was a direct response to a recent surge in suspicious drone activity and other unconventional tactics that have targeted airports, military sites, and strategic infrastructure in several European countries.
According to a joint statement released after the meeting and reported by 24NewsHD, the ministers pledged to “intensify our cooperation in countering hybrid threats against allies, including addressing the challenges posed by drones, cyberattacks, and disinformation.” The statement outlined plans to explore new defense measures, such as advanced drone defense systems, and to enhance information sharing among European allies. The urgency of their commitment was underscored by their vow to rebuild their own militaries and to provide unwavering support for Ukraine as it continues to fend off Russia’s invasion.
This renewed focus on hybrid threats comes amid a wave of drone sightings at sensitive locations across Europe. On November 10 and 12, unidentified drones were spotted over a major gunpowder factory in Bergerac, southwestern France, which can produce up to 1,200 tons of artillery gunpowder every year. The factory, owned by Eurenco—a leading European ammunition and explosives company—has become a focal point for concerns about industrial espionage and sabotage. French news channel BFM TV, citing prosecutors, reported that despite searches, the operators of these drones remain unidentified. Local authorities have launched an investigation, but the mystery lingers.
General Marc Le Bouil, France’s commander of air defense and air operations, told lawmakers on November 12 that the drone over Bergerac appeared to be a commercially available model made by the Chinese company DJI. While there’s no definitive proof of foreign state involvement, local authorities have not ruled out the possibility that Russia may be behind these incursions, especially given the broader context of heightened tensions and repeated accusations of Russian hybrid warfare tactics.
The Bergerac incidents are far from isolated. In recent months, drones have caused disruptions at airports and military installations in Germany, Denmark, Norway, Poland, and the Netherlands, as reported by both 24NewsHD and The Kyiv Independent. Belgium, in particular, has been on high alert after drones were spotted over a nuclear power plant, Brussels Airport, and the Kleine Brogel Air Base. The Belgian military has now issued standing orders to open fire on drones if further incursions occur—a dramatic measure that highlights just how seriously these threats are being taken.
These unexplained drone sightings have unfolded against a backdrop of escalating Russian aggression in Europe. In early September, Polish forces shot down several Russian drones that had crossed into their airspace during an attack on Ukraine. Not long after, Russian warplanes reportedly violated the airspace of Estonia and Lithuania—both NATO members—prompting renewed calls for a more forceful response, including the possibility of downing Russian aircraft and drones if necessary.
European officials have repeatedly accused Russia of conducting “hybrid” warfare—a term that refers to unconventional tactics designed to disrupt, intimidate, or destabilize adversaries without triggering a conventional military response. These tactics can include everything from sabotage and cyberattacks to disinformation campaigns and the kind of drone incursions now being seen across the continent. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius captured the mood of many European leaders when he said these actions are designed to “divert attention from (Russia’s) own problems… while at the same time attempting to unsettle and frighten our societies.”
At the Berlin meeting, the five defence ministers made clear that their response would not be limited to rhetoric. They pledged to “maximize support to Ukraine through military aid,” as well as to ramp up industrial cooperation with Ukraine by integrating its defense industry into European initiatives and value chains. This is not just about helping Ukraine survive the current conflict; it’s also about strengthening Europe’s own defenses and resilience in the face of a rapidly evolving threat landscape.
Britain’s Defence Minister John Healey, speaking after the meeting, put the stakes in stark terms: “Russian aggression is growing. The war in Ukraine continues to rage. The US has rightly challenged European nations to do more and to spend more on defence.” He added, “Make no mistake—we are in a new era of threat and this demands a new era for defence.”
The ministers also committed to meeting their NATO military capability targets and ramping up their own defense industries. This push comes as the United States, traditionally Europe’s principal security guarantor, has called on its European allies to shoulder a greater share of the defense burden. The message from Washington is clear: Europe must do more to defend itself, especially as the nature of modern warfare shifts away from traditional battlefields and toward the murky realm of hybrid threats.
For ordinary Europeans, the rise in drone sightings and related incidents is more than just a distant geopolitical problem. Disruptions at airports, the specter of sabotage at key industrial sites, and the growing threat of cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns are beginning to touch daily life in ways that are hard to ignore. The sense of vulnerability is real, and the pressure on governments to respond effectively is mounting.
As investigations into the recent drone incidents continue, authorities across Europe are stepping up their vigilance. The search for the operators behind the Bergerac overflights continues, and security has been tightened at other sensitive sites. Meanwhile, NATO allies are working to coordinate their responses, share intelligence, and develop new technologies to counter the evolving threat posed by drones and other hybrid tactics.
It’s a tense and uncertain moment for Europe, as leaders grapple with the challenge of defending against threats that are often invisible, unpredictable, and difficult to attribute. But the resolve expressed in Berlin suggests that, at least for now, Europe’s major powers are determined not to be caught off guard.
With hybrid warfare tactics on the rise and the specter of Russian aggression looming large, the continent’s security landscape is changing fast. The coming months will test whether Europe’s newfound unity and determination can keep pace with the threats it faces—both seen and unseen.
