NATO has ramped up defences in the Baltic Sea after mysterious drones continued to menace military bases and airports across Europe.
It comes just a day after suspected drones swooped over Denmark’s largest military base – sparking security fears.
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More drones were observed over Danish military sites overnight for the second straight day, Denmark’s army said today.
“The Armed Forces can confirm that drones have been observed at several of the Armed Forces’ locations during the night. Several capacities were deployed,” the military said in a statement.
Denmark’s military said unidentified drones had been observed over “several military sites” overnight Friday to Saturday, but refused to disclose any other details.
They were spotted flying over the Karup Air Base, which houses all of the armed forces’ helicopters, airspace surveillance, flight school and support functions.
It is Denmark’s largest military base – and it also serves as the headquarters of Nato’s Multinational Division North unit.
The air base shares a runway with Midtjyllands Lufthavn airport for civilians.
A spokesperson for Nato said it has “enhanced vigilance” in the Baltic Sea following the intrusions.
The reinforced measures “include multiple intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms and at least one air-defence frigate” in the region to the west of Russiaalliance spokesman Martin O’Donnell said.
Officials in Europe have been on high alert after the incursions in Denmark shut down air traffic in various parts of the country several times over the past week.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said that the threat from drones was “high” and that the country would take measures to defend itself.
“There is a threat that can be classified as high when it comes to drones. It is an abstract threat, but very concrete in individual cases,” Dobrindt told journalists in Berlin.
Among the measures, Germany will look to revise an aviation security law to allow the nation’s armed forces to get involved to possibly shoot down drones, he said.
“It’s about being prepared so that critical infrastructure or large gatherings of people, for example, can be protected,” the minister added.
It comes just days after Copenhagen Airport – the busiest hub in the Nordic region – was plunged into chaos amid claims Moscow is behind a string of sabotage across Europe.
On Saturday, Norwegian police also said they were probing several drone sightings near the country’s Oerland air force base – the main base for Norway‘s F-35s jet fighters.
A spokesperson at the Norwegian Armed Forces’ joint headquarters said: “The guards at the base made several observations outside the base’s perimeter early on Saturday.”
It comes after a string of mysterious drone sightings across European nations.
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They were also spotted over a military base in Marne, north-eastern France.
Security measures have been put in place after the “exceptional” event above the Mourmelon-le-Grand base, authorities said.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said they were part of “hybrid attacks” that may be linked to Russia.
She said: “Over recent days, Denmark has been the victim of hybrid attacks.”
Europe is now gearing up to build a massive layer of defence dubbed the “drone wall” to deter Russian incursions into Nato airspace.
After Moscow’s repeated – and unprovoked – aerial invasions threatening Europe’s security, the continent is now on a war footing to fight Vladimir Putin’s aggression.
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