NATO has announced plans to bolster its mission in the Baltic Sea, deploying an air-defence frigate and other new assets following a series of drone incursions in Denmark. This response comes after increasing concerns regarding the potential threat posed by unidentified drones observed near military installations.
Drone Activity in Denmark
This week, Danish authorities reported several drone sightings near key airports, including a significant incident that led to the closure of Copenhagen Airport, the region’s busiest. Unverified source reports suggest that these incursions may be linked to a state actor.
- Aalborg Airport was shut for three hours.
- Billund Airport, Denmark’s second-largest, was closed for one hour.
- Other drone sightings occurred near Esbjerg and Sonderborg airports, and above military installations.
NATO’s Response
In light of these threats, NATO’s new enhancements will include intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance platforms. The alliance emphasized that these measures are part of its continued operation called “Baltic Sentry”, launched to protect critical infrastructure from similar threats.
Political Reactions
Denmark’s Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen referred to the incidents as systematic hybrid attacks. Meanwhile, Latvia’s Foreign Minister Baiba Braze emphasised the need for NATO allies to invest in anti-drone capabilities to counteract such threats.
In response, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen linked these drone activities to potential Russian involvement, while the Russian embassy promptly dismissed the claims as absurd.
Future Implications
As NATO ramps up its presence in the region, concerns about airspace violations persist. On the sidelines of global discussions, U.S. President Donald Trump has even suggested a more aggressive stance on foreign jets trespassing into NATO’s domain.
This blend of military preparedness and political manoeuvring highlights the increasingly complicated geopolitical landscape in Europe, where the threat of drones seems to be just the tip of the iceberg.