Investigations Underway After Unidentified Drones Spotted Off Dublin and France's Ile Longue

Unidentified Drones Trigger Probes in Ireland and France

Authorities in Ireland and France have opened investigations after multiple unidentified drones were reported off the Dublin coast and near the Ile Longue naval base on France's Atlantic coast this week. The sightings come amid a wider wave of unexplained drone activity across Europe that began in September.

On Monday night several drones were observed off Dublin just as the plane carrying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky prepared to land for his first official visit to Ireland. Irish police released few details but said a special detective unit is investigating and will coordinate with the Defence Forces and international security partners.

On Thursday night several drones were seen near the Ile Longue submarine base, which houses France's nuclear ballistic missile submarines. French prosecutors told local media that none of the drones had been shot down and no pilots were identified. Prosecutor Frederic Teillet said that "no link with foreign interference" had been established so far and confirmed that French marines used jamming equipment against the devices.

"An investigation is underway that will determine what this overflight was all about," French Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin told TF1.

The Crozon peninsula, where Ile Longue and other military infrastructure are located, is subject to a ban on drone flights. European officials have expressed concern that some of the sightings could be linked to Russian operations; however, no drone has yet been recovered or conclusively attributed to a foreign actor. Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously dismissed claims that Moscow was responsible.

Many of the incidents since September have occurred close to Baltic and other European coastlines, raising questions about whether ships might be used as launch platforms. Reuters reported that the Russian tanker Boracay was near Copenhagen when drone activity forced the city's airport to close on September 22; the vessel was later boarded by French authorities and its captain charged with failing to prove the ship's nationality and with disobeying orders.

Investigations in both Ireland and France remain ongoing. Officials say they are coordinating with international partners to determine the origin and intent of the drone operations and to assess any potential threats to civilian and military sites.