Mysterious Drones Spotted Over Belgian Military Base for Third Consecutive Night

Tue Nov 04 2025 00:04:41 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A series of drone sightings near a military base in Belgium has raised concerns of potential espionage, prompting investigations by defense officials as planes have been seen flying towards the Netherlands.

For the third night, drones have been seen operating above the Kleine-Brogel military base near Belgium's border with the Netherlands, leading to a helicopter deployment and an investigation by Defense Minister Theo Francken. The situation has been described as a possible espionage operation, with recent drone activities disrupting European airspace and raising security concerns.

Drones have been seen flying over a Belgian military base near the Dutch border for a third night in a row, according to Belgium's defense minister. A helicopter was deployed to the Kleine-Brogel base after drones were spotted, and the drones then flew off towards the Netherlands, as reported by national broadcaster VRT.

Defense Minister Theo Francken stated that an investigation was underway, labeling the activity as 'a clear mission targeting Kleine Brogel.' He suggested that the operation might be linked to espionage but refrained from speculating on the identity of the perpetrators.

Francken noted, 'I have some ideas, but I'm going to be cautious.' Drones have also been observed above other military installations in Belgium, including the Leopoldsburg base in central Limburg and Marche-en-Famenne in the southeast.

Reports indicated that drones were also recorded flying near coastal regions such as Ostend and Antwerp's Deurne airports over the weekend. This incident adds to a concerning trend of drone-related disruptions in European airspace in recent months.

In October, unverified drone sightings led to operational suspensions at Germany's Munich airport, while in Denmark, the government suggested that drones observed near its airports were likely the work of a professional actor, although the specific individuals responsible remain unidentified.

The European Commission has responded by proposing several defense projects, including the development of a counter-drone system, aiming to reinforce European defenses by 2030.