Belgian military receives order to shoot down drones over bases

The Belgian armed forces have been ordered to shoot down any unidentified drones spotted over military bases, reports the Belga News Agency.

According to the General Staff, this is in response to several incidents in which suspicious unmanned aerial vehicles were spotted over sensitive locations. Belgium currently has only limited means of detecting and neutralizing such drones, but a plan to strengthen defenses is to be presented to the government shortly. Drones may only be shot down if there is no danger to civilian objects or persons.

The measure follows reports of drone flights over the Kleine-Brogel air base, which may have been mapping the positions of F-16 fighter jets. According to Defense Minister Theo Francken, the drones may have been used to gather strategic information.

Belgium is trying to respond quickly to new security challenges associated with the increasing number of drone flights over military installations.

(lup)