The UK is deploying a specialist Royal Air Power group to assist defend Belgium’s skies following a collection of sightings of “rogue” drones, the defence secretary and his army chief have revealed.
The bottom-based unit will likely be geared up with equipment that may observe and take down unmanned aerial methods.
It isn’t but clear who’s chargeable for the drone incursions, which pressured the nation’s most important airport close to Brussels to shut briefly and have additionally impacted Belgian army bases.
Nonetheless, there are suspicions that they could possibly be linked to Russia.
Different NATO nations have additionally skilled related issues, together with Denmark and Germany.
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Picture:
Queen Camilla appears to be like at counter-drone tools throughout a go to to RAF Leeming, Northallerton, in September 2024. Pic: PA
“I had my Belgian opposite number – the chief of the defence staff – in touch with me this week, seeking our help to track and potentially defeat the drones,” he mentioned.
“We agreed with the defence secretary on Friday that we would send our people and our equipment into Belgium to help them with the current problem they have got there.”
Picture:
Queen Camilla, who’s an honorary air commodore, inspects counter-drone tools. Pic: PA
John Healey, the defence secretary, mentioned: “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 develop, our power lies in our alliances and our collective resolve to defend, deter and defend our crucial infrastructure and airspace.”
The RAF group is educated and geared up to fight drones.
