Instagram/Royal Air Force Regiment | Courtesy of BBC

 

Britain is stepping up military support for Belgium amidst suspected Russian drone incursions into Belgian airspace. The move comes after Belgian authorities sought assistance following drone sightings, including around Brussels Airport, which led to temporary closures. This incident is part of a growing pattern of drone incursions affecting multiple NATO nations, raising concerns about security and prompting swift action from allies.

 

The UK Chief of Defence Staff, Sir Richard Knighton, has confirmed the dispatch of personnel and equipment to assist. British and German officials plausibly link Russia to the incursion, which poses a potential threat to civilian and military infrastructure. However, Belgium's defence minister, Theo Francken, has stated there is no definitive evidence directly linking these incursions to Moscow.

 

The UK’s Defence Secretary John Healey highlighted the importance of alliances and collective resolve against hybrid threats. The RAF’s 2 Force Protection Wing is among those likely to be deployed, joining efforts with other NATO allies, including Germany, which has committed to supporting Belgium with anti-drone measures. The BBC reported that this collaboration demonstrates NATO's cohesive approach to deter threats and safeguard airspace.

 

In response to the airspace disturbance, Brussels Airlines experienced significant disruptions, affecting approximately 3,000 passengers and incurring considerable costs due to flight cancellations and diversions. The situation has intensified calls for increased defence spending amid ongoing concerns about Europe's security landscape. Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge supported the UK’s assistance to Belgium but criticised the government’s pace of increasing defence investment.

 

Looking to the future, NATO nations remain vigilant, closely monitoring airspace for drones amidst continued geopolitical tensions. As Russia's territorial aggression in Ukraine and its hybrid warfare tactics continue to pose a challenge, we anticipate an intensification of collective defence efforts. The UK’s actions align with NATO objectives to enhance military readiness across Europe, fortifying the eastern flank and ensuring strategic infrastructure remains secure.

 

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• UK provides military aid to Belgium amidst suspected Russian drone threats.
• Drones cause disruption, notably affecting Brussels Airport operations.
• NATO nations are enhancing collective defence strategies in response.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-11-10

 

 

The UK can't even manage it's own borders. 

 

The military should be on the beaches of Dover not in Belgium. 

4 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

The UK can't even manage it's own borders. 

 

The military should be on the beaches of Dover not in Belgium. 

I don't think that illegal immigrants have yet started to arrive dangling underneath drones.

Just now, JAG said:

I don't think that illegal immigrants have yet started to arrive dangling underneath drones.

In due time.

I see they're banging the war drums.  Again. 

 

They're apparently not going to stop until WW3 starts.

 

From opinion piece :

 

The drone incidents could be a false flag, blamed on Russia as a provocation. Or, it could be a ploy to garner public support for a civilian drone ban. They may represent a precursor to a larger event or "attack" designed to increase tensions between Russia and Europe. 

European military bases are equipped with drone triangulation technology as part of their counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) defenses, but strangely these have apparently not been able to track or identify these mystery drones.

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/uk-sends-troops-military-equipment-help-belgium-against-mystery-drone-incursions

 

And I would add , to forced Belgium to unlock the frozen Russian money on Euroclear.

https://www.brusselstimes.com/1450382/over-e250-billion-of-russian-assets-frozen-in-belgium

7 hours ago, FlorC said:

From opinion piece :

 

The drone incidents could be a false flag, blamed on Russia as a provocation. Or, it could be a ploy to garner public support for a civilian drone ban. They may represent a precursor to a larger event or "attack" designed to increase tensions between Russia and Europe. 

European military bases are equipped with drone triangulation technology as part of their counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) defenses, but strangely these have apparently not been able to track or identify these mystery drones.

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/uk-sends-troops-military-equipment-help-belgium-against-mystery-drone-incursions

 

And I would add , to forced Belgium to unlock the frozen Russian money on Euroclear.

https://www.brusselstimes.com/1450382/over-e250-billion-of-russian-assets-frozen-in-belgium

 

I think that tensions between the EU/ NATO and Russia are taut enough without the need to engage in any 'false flag' activities of this type.

 

Did the C-UAS systems fail to track the drones, or is it more a case that it is extremely difficult (impossible?) to prevent drones taking off? Worryingly, it is all too easy to set off drones relatively close to many airports (I used to live in Brussels. Unless the layout of the airport has changed greatly over the past few years, this would be true of Zaventem).

 

Belgium is, in principle, in favour of  unlocking frozen Russian assets on Euroclear. What Belgium is seeking is an  assurance from other EU member states that liabilities will be shared if Russia were to successfully sue Belgium in an international court. I do not understand why this assurance can't be offered.

On 11/10/2025 at 6:18 AM, JAG said:

I don't think that illegal immigrants have yet started to arrive dangling underneath drones.

 

Don't give them any ideas. 😄

On 11/10/2025 at 6:12 AM, JonnyF said:

The UK can't even manage it's own borders. 

 

The military should be on the beaches of Dover not in Belgium. 

Precisely what I was thinking myself.

On 11/10/2025 at 7:48 AM, impulse said:

I see they're banging the war drums.  Again. 

 

They're apparently not going to stop until WW3 starts.

 

 

Although your hero in the US is doing his best to get it started

On 11/10/2025 at 6:18 AM, JAG said:

I don't think that illegal immigrants have yet started to arrive dangling underneath drones.

Far more enjoyable taking a channel cruise in a boat with a load of the boys from sandland.