Belgium

News, deep dives, and analysis — every Belgium story, newest first.

Articles

Beats covered

Reporters on beat

Jul 2

Last updated

White House

UK Sends RAF Counter-Drone Specialists To Belgium As Mystery Aircraft Trigger NATO Response But Are They Actually Drones?

Britain is deploying Royal Air Force counter-drone specialists to Belgium after a week of mysterious aircraft sightings shut down major airports and triggered shoot-down authorizations at military bases—but some of the “drones” may have been helicopters and airplanes misidentified by observers. UK Defence Secretary John Healey announced the deployment today following an urgent request from…

Haye KestelooNov 9

Ukraine

Germany Creates Anti-Drone Strike Teams, Rushes Help To Belgium After Europe Realizes It’s Years Behind On Airspace Defense

Germany is establishing rapid-response counter-drone units and has deployed military specialists to Belgium following a wave of mysterious drone sightings that forced multiple airport closures across Europe, exposing critical gaps in the continent’s airspace security infrastructure. “These anti-drone units are being established right now,” Lieutenant General Alexander Sollfrank, who heads Germany’

Haye KestelooNov 8

NASA

Belgium Mobilizes German Counter-Drone Support and Tightens Registration After Airport Shutdowns

Belgium is deploying German military counter-drone systems and strengthening drone registration enforcement after a wave of unidentified aircraft forced multiple airport closures and exposed critical gaps in European airspace security. The emergency response follows disruptions at Brussels Airport, Liège Airport, and repeated incursions over military bases housing NATO assets. Germany announced Th

Haye KestelooNov 7

Europe

Drone Sightings Are Disrupting Flights Across Europe

Two of Belgium’s busiest airports, Brussels and Liège, were facing intermittent closures throughout the day on 11/04/25 due to reported drone sightings. Starting at roughly 19:00 UTC, or 20:00 local time, air traffic was halted at the Brussels airport. Soon after, Liege airport shut down due to drone sightings as well. Brussels reopened, then closed…

Zachary PeeryNov 5

Brazen Drone Incursion Over US Nuke Base - Has NATO Already Lost the Drone War?

Police

Belgium Authorizes Military To Shoot Down Drones After Three Nights Of Suspected Espionage At Nuclear Weapons Base

Belgium’s chief of defence has authorized military personnel to shoot down unauthorized drones flying over the country’s military bases following three consecutive nights of suspected espionage operations at Kleine-Brogel Air Base, which houses U.S. nuclear weapons and F-16 fighter jets. The shoot-down order marks a significant escalation in Belgium’s response to what defense officials characteriz

Haye KestelooNov 4

Police

Brazen Drone Incursion Over US Nuke Base: Has NATO Already Lost the Drone War?

Three large drones conducted targeted surveillance over Belgium’s Kleine Brogel airbase—which stores US nuclear weapons—on the night of November 1-2, 2025, evading Belgian military jammers and police helicopter pursuit in what Defense Minister Theo Francken called “a clear command targeting Kleine Brogel.” The incident marks the latest escalation in a months-long campaign of drone incursions…

Haye KestelooNov 2

Canada

Ugandan Women Join Elite Ranks of Drone-Powered Peacekeepers

Recently, 33 remarkable women from 15 United Nations member states, including Uganda, completed advanced training that blends leadership

Rafael SuárezOct 27

Police

Belgium Foils Jihadist Drone Bomb Plot Targeting Prime Minister As Europe Bolsters Defenses

Belgian authorities arrested three suspects in Antwerp today after uncovering a jihadist-inspired plot to assassinate Prime Minister Bart De Wever using drone-mounted explosives, according to federal prosecutors. Police discovered bomb-making materials, metal pellets for shrapnel, and a 3D printer intended to manufacture drone components during raids on four residences. The arrests come just one d

Haye KestelooOct 9

Belgium

The drone industry moves fast. Stay ahead of it.