In a dramatic escalation of Europe’s ongoing battle with disruptive drone activity, the United Kingdom has stepped in to support Belgium after a spate of drone sightings forced airport closures and widespread travel chaos last week. The move, announced on November 9, 2025, underscores growing fears that such incursions may be part of a broader campaign of hybrid warfare, with Russia emerging as the prime suspect—though evidence remains elusive.
According to Reuters, the head of Britain’s armed forces, Sir Richard Knighton, confirmed that his Belgian counterpart had reached out for help earlier in the week. Knighton told the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg that the UK was responding by dispatching both personnel and specialized equipment to Belgium. While the exact nature of the equipment remains under wraps, the urgency of the deployment speaks volumes. "The defence secretary and I agreed at the end of last week that we would deploy our people and our equipment to Belgium to help them," Knighton explained, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
These drone incursions are not isolated events. Over the past week, drones have been spotted over airports and military bases across Belgium, causing major disruptions and raising alarms throughout the continent. On Tuesday, November 4, drones flying over airports serving Brussels and Liege forced the diversion of incoming flights and grounded several departures, affecting thousands of travelers. BBC News reported that Belgium’s main airport, Zaventem, was forced to close temporarily on Thursday night after more drones were sighted nearby. The impact was immediate: Brussels Airlines alone saw about 3,000 passengers affected by cancellations and diversions, with the airline warning of "considerable costs" due to the chaos.
But Belgium is not alone in facing this threat. Drone sightings have forced temporary airport closures in several other European countries, including Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, over the past few months. The pattern of disruption has prompted a coordinated response from NATO allies. Following Belgium’s request for assistance, the German defence ministry also pledged support with anti-drone measures, according to the BBC. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and Belgian security services have openly suspected Russian involvement, though Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken has conceded that there is "no accompanying evidence" to directly implicate Moscow.
"At first, drones flying over our military bases were seen as our problem," Francken remarked earlier this week, as reported by BBC News. "Now it has become a serious threat affecting civilian infrastructure across multiple European countries." The escalation from military to civilian targets has fueled speculation and concern, especially as the incidents coincide with sensitive political discussions in the European Union.
The timing of the drone activity has not gone unnoticed. On Friday, November 7, the German defence minister suggested a possible link between the recent drone incidents in Belgium and ongoing EU talks over the use of frozen Russian assets—held by Belgian financial institution Euroclear—to fund a €140 billion loan to Ukraine. While no direct evidence has surfaced, suspicions have been stoked by Russia’s recent history of airspace incursions and hybrid tactics, including the use of fighter jets and attack drones in Eastern Europe.
Hybrid warfare—a blend of conventional and unconventional tactics, including cyber-attacks, disinformation, and sabotage—has become a defining feature of modern conflict. Sir Richard Knighton did not mince words when addressing the threat: "Russia is the most pressing threat right now to Europe. The illegal invasion of Ukraine has shown the barbaric nature of Russia's war efforts," he told the BBC. Knighton also referenced past incidents of sabotage and killings on UK soil, reinforcing the need for vigilance and robust alliances.
For its part, Russia has categorically denied any involvement in the drone incursions. The Kremlin’s denials, however, have done little to allay European concerns. As reported by Reuters, Knighton noted that while it is not yet known who is behind the drone sightings, Russia has been involved in a pattern of "hybrid warfare" in recent years. The specter of Russian interference continues to loom large over European security discussions, especially as the continent grapples with the fallout from the war in Ukraine.
The UK’s response is part of a broader NATO effort to shore up Europe’s defenses against emerging threats. Defence Secretary John Healey emphasized the importance of alliances in the face of growing hybrid dangers. "As hybrid threats grow, our strength lies in our alliances and our collective resolve to defend, deter and protect our critical infrastructure and airspace," Healey said in a statement. He added that the UK would help Belgium "by providing our kit and capability"—resources that are already being deployed.
The shadow defence secretary welcomed the UK’s swift action, noting that "a heightened threat environment" requires cooperation through NATO. However, he also criticized the government’s pace in increasing defense spending, arguing that more urgency is needed. The UK government has promised to raise defense spending to 2.5% of GDP from April 2027, with an ambition to reach 3% in the next parliament. Sir Richard Knighton described the current funding as "more than I've ever known in my career," but debates continue over whether it is enough to meet the evolving threat landscape.
The stakes are high, not just for Belgium but for Europe as a whole. As drones continue to buzz over airports and military installations, officials are sounding the alarm about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure. The disruption to civilian travel, the economic costs to airlines, and the potential for escalation all point to a new phase in Europe’s security challenges. The UK’s deployment of experts and equipment to Belgium is a clear signal that European nations are taking the threat seriously—and that they are prepared to act collectively to defend their skies.
While the culprit behind the drone incursions remains unconfirmed, the events of the past week have left little doubt that Europe’s airspace is under threat. As investigations continue and NATO allies rally to support Belgium, the continent faces a stark reminder: in an age of hybrid warfare, vigilance and cooperation are more essential than ever.
