UK military to help protect Belgium after drone incursions

British military personnel and equipment are being sent to Belgium to help it bolster its defenses following drone incursions into its airspace, which were suspected to have been carried out by Russia.

The new head of the British Army, Sir Richard Knighton, told the BBC on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that his Belgian counterpart requested help earlier this week and that equipment and personnel were on the way.

The main airport in Belgium is Zavantem It was forced to close temporarily on Thursday evening after drones were spotted nearby. They have also been spotted at other locations, including a military base.

Sir Richard said it was not known whether the incursions were carried out by Russia, but added it was “plausible” they were ordered by Moscow.

He added that the decision to assist Belgium was made in coordination with Defense Minister John Healey.

He added that the UK, along with NATO allies, would help Belgium “by providing our equipment and capabilities” which he said had already been deployed. The German Defense Ministry said on Friday that it would support Belgium with counter-drone measures after a request from Brussels.

About 3,000 passengers on board Brussels Airlines were affected by the disruption, and the company said it faced “significant costs” as a result of dozens of flights being canceled or diverted.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and Belgian security services said they suspected Russia, but Belgian Defense Minister Theo Franken earlier admitted there was no accompanying evidence.

“At first, drones flying over our military bases were seen as our problem,” Franken said earlier this week.

“It has now become a serious threat affecting civilian infrastructure in many European countries.”

More broadly, Sir Richard said Russia was the “most urgent threat now” to Europe.

“The illegal invasion of Ukraine demonstrated the barbaric nature of Russia’s war efforts,” he told the programme.

He added that sabotage and Killings It was carried out by Russia on UK soil, and so-called hybrid warfare is where “we are.” [The UK] We need to strengthen ourselves.”

The Shadow Defense Secretary welcomed the move, saying there was an “increasing threat environment” and that a key part of deterring threats was “by working with other countries through NATO”.

But James Cartledge criticized the government’s approach to increasing defense spending, saying more urgency was needed.

In the spring, the government announced that defense spending would rise to 2.5% of GDP from April 2027, with an ambition to reach 3% in the next parliament.

Sir Richard said the finance was “more than I have ever known in my career”.

In recent months, a number of drones have caused major disruptions to flights across Europe, including in Sweden, Norway and Denmark.

Although some officials blame Russia for the “hybrid war,” the Kremlin has denied any involvement.

Pistorius suggested the latest sightings could be linked to EU discussions Using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine In the form of a loan worth 140 billion euros.

Although there is no public evidence of Russian involvement, suspicions have grown More dangerous incursions into airspace By Russia in Eastern Europe during recent months, incl Fighter planes and larger attack drones.

The United Kingdom has recently sent RAF Typhoon aircraft will participate in defensive missions On Poland as part of NATO The task of strengthening the eastern flank In response to the incursions.