Drones "Spying" Over Kleine‑Brogel Air Base, Belgian Defence Minister Says — Jammer Fails and Probe Launched

Belgian minister: drones were "spying" on military assets at Kleine‑Brogel

Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken said on Sunday that several drones detected above Kleine‑Brogel Air Base over the weekend were operating "to spy" on military assets, including F‑16 fighter jets and munitions. The sightings come as NATO members and other European states remain on heightened alert following a series of recent airspace incursions.

"They come to spy, to see where the F‑16s are, where the munitions are, and other highly strategic things," Francken told RTBF, a CNN affiliate. He added that one drone lingered above the base for a "long time." On X, he said three reports were filed the previous night describing larger drones flying at higher altitude.

"Is it the Russians now? I cannot say that, but the motives are clear," Francken said, stopping short of directly blaming Moscow while warning that similar activity appears to be taking place across Europe.

Authorities attempted countermeasures: a drone jammer was used without success, and police and a helicopter pursued one device but lost it after several kilometres, Francken said. Local officials launched an investigation and reiterated that it is "strictly forbidden to fly drones above military areas."

Kleine‑Brogel Air Base, in the municipality of Peer, hosts Belgium's largest defence unit and — according to the base website — is intended to "fundamentally contribute to NATO's nuclear deterrence strategy." The base currently operates F‑16s, which are scheduled to be replaced by F‑35s in the coming years. Local media have long reported rumours that U.S. nuclear weapons are stored at the site, though those reports are not officially confirmed here.

Belgian defence officials have reported other recent drone activity in the country: last month, an unspecified number of drones reportedly flew over the Elsenborn military base toward the German border. Separately, Lithuania briefly closed its border with Belarus earlier this week after citing "constant violations" of its airspace.

NATO referred CNN to Belgian authorities for comment, and CNN has contacted Belgium's Ministry of Defence for further information. Officials continue to investigate the weekend sightings as part of a broader effort to address suspected surveillance and airspace breaches across Europe.