Germany sends anti-drone teams to Belgium, fears of attacks grow

The German army is currently building specialised rapid deployment teams to counter the drone threats that are increasingly appearing in Europe.

At the request of Belgium, Berlin has deployed a group of experts after noticing increased drone activity near military bases and airfields there. A forward unit is already on the ground, with the main contingent due to arrive shortly.

Lieutenant General Alexander Sollfrank said that the team has various systems at its disposal, including those that allow the interception or direct shooting down of drones. A similar unit has already been deployed during the EU summit in Copenhagen.

The drone incidents, which have also disrupted air traffic in some cases, including in Sweden, have raised fears of a hybrid threat from Russia - although Moscow denies a link.

Belgium considers the series of incidents to be a coordinated attack and has called an emergency meeting of security forces.

(reuters, swag)