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.
President Donald Trump declared that the United States will "always be there" for NATO, emphasising the importance of the alliance in countering globa...
On 8 January, 2026, Azerbaijan will carry out the next delivery of oil products to Armenia, with shipments originating from the Guzdak railway station...
Azerbaijan and Syria have reached an agreement to establish a joint business council aimed at enhancing trade and economic cooperation between the two...
Snow and ice caused travel chaos in northwest Europe on Wednesday, while others were delighted by the snow-covered streets of Paris, venturing out on ...
The U.S. has seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker that had been followed by a Russian submarine on Wednesday, following a more than two-week-long pursu...
President Donald Trump declared that the United States will "always be there" for NATO, emphasising the importance of the alliance in countering global threats. In a post on Truth Social, Trump reiterated that Russia and China only feared NATO as long as the U.S. remained a member.
On 8 January, 2026, Azerbaijan will carry out the next delivery of oil products to Armenia, with shipments originating from the Guzdak railway station and the Baku cargo station.
Azerbaijan and Syria have reached an agreement to establish a joint business council aimed at enhancing trade and economic cooperation between the two nations, according to the Syrian embassy in Azerbaijan.
Snow and ice caused travel chaos in northwest Europe on Wednesday, while others were delighted by the snow-covered streets of Paris, venturing out on sledges and skis.
Germany’s foreign intelligence service secretly monitored the telephone communications of former U.S. President Barack Obama for several years, including calls made aboard Air Force One, according to an investigation by the German newspaper Die Zeit.
Diplomatic tensions between Tokyo and Beijing escalated as Japan slams China's export ban on dual-use goods. Markets have wobbled as fears grow over a potential rare earth embargo affecting global supply chains.
Iran’s chief justice has warned protesters there will be “no leniency for those who help the enemy against the Islamic Republic”, as rights groups reported a rising death toll during what observers describe as the country’s biggest wave of unrest in three years.
Open-source intelligence (OSINT) sources reported a significant movement of U.S. military aircraft towards the Middle East in recent hours. Dozens of U.S. Air Force aerial refuelling tankers and heavy transport aircraft were observed heading eastwards, presumably to staging points in the region.
Two people have been killed after a private helicopter crashed at a recreation centre in Russia’s Perm region, Russian authorities and local media have said.
On 8 January, 2026, Azerbaijan will carry out the next delivery of oil products to Armenia, with shipments originating from the Guzdak railway station and the Baku cargo station.
Azerbaijan and Syria have reached an agreement to establish a joint business council aimed at enhancing trade and economic cooperation between the two nations, according to the Syrian embassy in Azerbaijan.
The Azerbaijan National NGO Forum has sent an open letter to Russia’s ambassador to Azerbaijan, Mikhail Yevdokimov.
Russia has said bad weather was the cause of the AZAL plane crash in Kazakhstan in December 2024. A leaked document in the form of a letter, reportedly from Russia’s Investigative Committee was sent to Azerbaijan’s Prosecutor General, making the claim, prompting the criminal case to be closed.
Open-source intelligence (OSINT) sources reported a significant movement of U.S. military aircraft towards the Middle East in recent hours. Dozens of U.S. Air Force aerial refuelling tankers and heavy transport aircraft were observed heading eastwards, presumably to staging points 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