Air traffic at Eindhoven Airport in the southern Netherlands was suspended on Saturday evening after multiple drones were sighted near the facility, prompting the deployment of counter-drone systems and raising fresh alarm over airspace security in Europe.
“Counter-drone equipment is ready to act,” Brekelmans said, adding that an investigation is under way. Authorities have yet to identify the source of the drones, which led to a full suspension of both civilian and military air operations at the airport.
The incident follows similar security alerts across Europe in recent months, where unexplained drone flights have disrupted airspace operations and triggered growing fears of hybrid attacks targeting critical infrastructure.
Earlier, the Dutch defence ministry revealed that weapons were used on Friday evening against drones spotted above Volkel Air Force Base, located about 40 kilometres northeast of Eindhoven. That episode had already heightened security measures at other Dutch military installations.
Eindhoven Airport, which operates as a dual-use civilian and military hub, was placed under precautionary lockdown as authorities monitored the situation. The defence ministry said it could not confirm the origin or ownership of the drones.
A rising European concern
The latest disruption adds to a growing list of drone-related incursions reported across Europe this year. In September, Poland’s military said more than 20 Russian drones had entered its airspace, while three Russian fighter jets were accused of violating Estonian airspace for over 12 minutes.
Since then, numerous unidentified drones — many with unclear or untraceable origins — have been reported near European airports, energy facilities, and military bases.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has described such incidents as examples of “hybrid warfare”, warning that the EU must strengthen its defences against unconventional security threats.
Security and investigation
While no injuries or damage were reported in Eindhoven, the temporary suspension of flights underscored the vulnerability of Europe’s skies to small unmanned aerial systems.
The Dutch Ministry of Defence has not ruled out foreign involvement but has declined to provide further details until the investigation concludes.
For now, air traffic remains under strict monitoring as the Netherlands — and much of Europe — confronts the growing challenge of drone activity blurring the line between civilian nuisance and potential national security threat.
Two adjoining buildings collapsed in Tripoli, northern Lebanon, on Sunday (4 February), killing at least six people and trapping an unspecified number...
U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators have discussed an ambitious March goal for Russia and Ukraine to agree on a peace deal, though that timeline is likely ...
The Board of Peace created by U.S. President Donald Trump will hold its first leaders meeting on 19 February in Washington, a U.S. government official...
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said a man suspected of shooting senior military intelligence officer Vladimir Alexeyev in Moscow has been d...
Two adjoining buildings collapsed in Tripoli, northern Lebanon, on Sunday (4 February), killing at least six people and trapping an unspecified number beneath the rubble, according to security sources.
India’s trade minister said diversifying energy imports and expanding purchases of advanced technology from the United States would serve New Delhi’s strategic interests, as the two countries move closer to finalising a long-awaited trade agreement.
U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators have discussed an ambitious March goal for Russia and Ukraine to agree on a peace deal, though that timeline is likely to slip given a lack of agreement on the key issue of territory, according to three sources familiar with the matter.
Police in riot gear pushed toward a group of protesters who launched fireworks, flares and smoke bombs during a demonstration in Milan on Saturday, as the city hosted events on the first full day of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.
Storm Leonardo hit Spain and Portugal on Tuesday, forcing more than 11,000 people from their homes, as a man in Portugal died after his car was swept away by floodwaters and a second body was found in Malaga.
Iran would retaliate by striking U.S. military bases across the Middle East if it comes under attack by American forces, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Saturday (7 January), stressing that such action should not be seen as targeting the countries hosting those bases.
At least 31 people have been killed and scores wounded in a suicide bombing at a mosque in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, during Friday prayers, prompting widespread international condemnation.
U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators have discussed an ambitious goal of reaching a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine by March, though the timeline is widely viewed as unrealistic due to deep disagreements over territory, according to multiple sources familiar with the talks.
A Japanese city near Mount Fuji has cancelled its annual cherry blossom festival, saying growing numbers of badly behaved tourists are disrupting daily life for residents.
Two adjoining buildings collapsed in Tripoli, northern Lebanon, on Sunday (4 February), killing at least six people and trapping an unspecified number beneath the rubble, according to security sources.
The Board of Peace created by U.S. President Donald Trump will hold its first leaders meeting on 19 February in Washington, a U.S. government official confirmed, marking the board's formal debut after weeks of global scrutiny.
Benjamin Netanyahu will meet Donald Trump in Washington on Wednesday, a date brought forward as indirect U.S.-Iran nuclear talks in Oman restart and Tehran presses its enrichment rights while ruling out missile negotiations.
Saudi Arabia and Syria have signed agreements worth about $5.3bn aimed at boosting cooperation across aviation, telecommunications and water infrastructure, marking one of the largest economic initiatives since Syria’s leadership change.
The U.S. has become a central outside power in the South Caucasus, shaping diplomacy, security and energy flows. Its relations with Azerbaijan and Armenia have evolved from similar beginnings into two distinct partnerships that now define Washington’s role in the region.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment