First five and later ten drones flew above Volkel air base on Friday evening. This was announced by outgoing Minister of Defense Ruben Brekelmans to Omroep Brabant on Saturday afternoon. Defense has tried to shoot down the drones with weapons.
The drones were seen with the naked eye between seven and nine o’clock on Friday evening by guards from Volkel air base. “Five were initially spotted. Later there were ten. We then responded,” Brekelmans told Omroep Brabant from Canada. He’s there for an international security summit.
Why does Defense say little?
According to the outgoing minister, weapons have been used to shoot down the drones. He does not want to say what kind of weapons those were because “possible opponents also know what type of weapons we use in such a situation.” According to a spokesperson for the Royal Military Police, shots were fired.
The drones flew away and were later not found. “It was dark, so visibility was limited,” says Brekelmans. The Marechaussee also searched for the drivers of the drones, without results.
According to the minister, Defense is conducting further investigation into who is behind the drones and what type of drones they are. “Finding out who’s behind it is complicated if you haven’t gotten your hands on one.”
Was it a surprise?
According to Brekelmans, various scenarios are possible. “An amateur with a drone is not the first thing you think of. Everything I say about that is speculation,” he says.
The drones above Volkel air base did not come as a surprise to the defense minister. “If you look at what has happened recently in other countries, it was to be expected. We have seen drones over military areas before. Our F-35s are at Volkel air base. Drones are not acceptable there and we will act immediately,” he promises.
The defense minister does call on amateur drone pilots. “Be careful where you fly your drone. It is not allowed near airports and military areas.”