Unidentified Drones Disrupt Danish Airports, Incite Concerns of Hybrid Attacks
Denmark has recently experienced a series of drone sightings near several of its airports, an incident the country's Justice and Defence Ministers have characterized as a systemic hybrid attack.
The drones, of unknown origin, have repeatedly closed Denmark's Aalborg airport, prompting the country to strengthen its capabilities in drone detection and neutralization.
Background and Context
Over the past week, drone activity has been reported near the airports of Aalborg, Copenhagen, Billund, Esbjerg, Sonderborg, and the military airbase of Skrydstrup. This has resulted in the closure of Aalborg Airport on multiple occasions, affecting both commercial and military flights. Furthermore, the drone sightings have disrupted operations at Copenhagen and Oslo airports, leading to the diversion or cancellation of dozens of flights and inconveniencing thousands of passengers.
Key Developments
The drones have been described as large and were seen flying at night, often resulting in the closure of affected airports. According to the Dutch news outlet ANSA, the drones were spotted at Aalborg and four other airports, causing the airspace to be shut down for an hour. A video released by Al Jazeera English showed a low-flying object near Aalborg Airport, supporting these claims.
This incident has been described as the most serious attack on Danish critical infrastructure
by the country's Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen. The Danish Defence Minister, Troels Lund Poulsen, also expressed concerns, suggesting that a professional actor likely orchestrated these drone incursions as part of a hybrid attack.
Reactions and Implications
The drone sightings have been met with serious concern by Danish authorities, prompting a press briefing by Denmark’s justice and defence ministers along with army and police representatives. In the briefing, they warned that the risk of hybrid incidents is here to stay
and likely to continue, with an intention to create fear, to create division.
Denmark is reportedly considering invoking NATO’s Article 4, a move that would initiate a meeting for members of the alliance. This consideration comes as Denmark reaches out to NATO and the European Union for support following the drone threats.
NATO chief Mark Rutte has responded to these incidents with seriousness, confirming that he is working with Denmark to ensure the security of critical infrastructure.
Current Status
Despite the ongoing investigation and increased drone detection efforts, the origin and intent behind these drone activities remain unclear. Denmark's authorities are currently focusing on strengthening their abilities to detect and neutralize drones. The situation remains under close watch, as Denmark and other nations brace for potential ongoing disruptions due to these unidentified drones.