A specialist Royal Air Force (RAF) Regiment counter-drone unit has been sent to Belgium to boost security after a request for support to counter rogue drone activity; signs of the hybrid threats facing several NATO countries around airports and military bases.
Drone incidents over the past week are regarded as a major challenge for NATO, bringing travel chaos and regular breaches of security at Belgian and other NATO military bases. The Defence Secretary confirmed the decision, stating it was a necessary step “When our NATO allies call, we step up. Belgium requested urgent support to counter rogue drone activity at their military bases, so I’ve directed a small team of RAF specialists to deploy immediately. As hybrid threats grow, our strength lies in our alliances and our collective resolve to defend, deter and protect our critical infrastructure and airspace.”
France and Germany have also provided specialist units to help defend sites and counter drones threats. Over the weekend Belgium agreed an emergency counter-drone plan with the purchase of detection equipment and systems to take down drones. Theo Francken, the Belgian Defence Minister, said: “The safety of our airports and military areas is an absolute priority.”
“The threat from UAS we have faced here in the UK, that our allies now experience in Europe, is very real and tangibly dangerous - and as demonstrated in Belgium, unauthorised and uncoordinated movements by UAS can be extremely disruptive. We must not underestimate the threat that Russia and other hostile actors pose to our everyday lives. Hostile technology that we could only begin to imagine a few years ago is now reality, with weapons that were once deemed unconventional now mainstream and being used against us daily.
That’s why we have invested in developing our counter-drone technology alongside first-class training for the outstanding personnel who operate the very latest equipment. Our reputation in this field is high, and Belgium knew exactly who they needed to call. I’m immensely proud of the RAF Regiment unit from Leeming, who are on the ground helping our NATO ally to deter further incursions and protect their assets and economy."
Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth
This support request once again highlights the critical importance of specialist counter-drone capabilities, especially when highly trained personnel from the RAF Regiment’s No2 Counter Uncrewed Air Systems (CUAS) Wing, with advanced technology, can rapidly and safely neutralise the threats posed by unauthorised drones.
