The United Kingdom is dispatching a specialist Royal Air Force team to Belgium to help defend its airspace against a series of suspicious drone incursions, the Defence Secretary and the Chief of the Defence Staff have announced.
NATO Ally Requests Urgent Support
This deployment comes as a direct response to a formal request from Belgium's top military official. Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton revealed that his Belgian counterpart contacted him seeking assistance. "I had my Belgian opposite number - the chief of the defence staff - in touch with me this week, seeking our help to track and potentially defeat the drones," he stated in an interview with Sky News.
The decision to deploy was confirmed on Friday, 7th November 2025, following discussions with Defence Secretary John Healey. The ground-based RAF unit is equipped with advanced technology capable of detecting, tracking, and neutralising unmanned aerial systems that have been violating Belgian airspace.
Disruption and Suspected Origins
The rogue drone activity has caused significant operational disruptions in Belgium. The country's main airport near Brussels was forced to close temporarily due to the incursions, which have also targeted several Belgian military bases.
While officials have not yet publicly identified who is responsible for the drone flights, suspicions are pointing towards Russia as a potential source. This incident is not isolated, as other NATO members, including Denmark and Germany, have reported similar problematic drone activities in their airspace.
A Collective Defence Response
Defence Secretary John Healey emphasised the importance of allied cooperation in facing emerging security challenges. "When our NATO allies call, we step up," Healey said. "Belgium requested urgent support to counter rogue drone activity at their military bases, so I've directed a small team of RAF specialists to deploy immediately."
He further highlighted that as hybrid threats continue to evolve, the strength of NATO lies in its members' collective determination to protect critical infrastructure and shared airspace. The specialised RAF team represents the UK's commitment to this principle of mutual defence and security cooperation within the alliance.
