UK military personnel and equipment are being sent to Belgium to help it bolster its defences after drone incursions on its airspace, suspected of being carried out by Russia.
The new head of the UK military, Sir Richard Knighton, told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that his Belgian counterpart asked for assistance earlier this week and that kit and personnel were on the way.
Belgium's main airport Zavantem was forced to close temporarily on Thursday night after drones were spotted nearby. They were also seen in other locations, including a military base.
Sir Richard said it was unclear if the incursions were by Russia, but acknowledged the plausibility of such orders coming from Moscow.
He indicated that the decision to assist Belgium was made in conjunction with Defence Secretary John Healey. The UK plans to help Belgium by providing our kit and capability, which is already being deployed. Additionally, Germany has announced support for Belgium with anti-drone measures in response to a request from Brussels.
Around 3,000 Brussels Airlines passengers were affected by the disruptions, and the airline reported facing considerable costs due to the cancellation and diversion of numerous flights.
Both the German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and the Belgian security services suspect Russia's involvement, but concrete evidence remains lacking. Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken previously remarked that drones flying over military bases were initially seen as manageable issues, but have escalated into significant threats affecting civilian infrastructure across Europe.
Moreover, Sir Richard represented the urgency of addressing the broader Russian threat to Europe, particularly emphasizing how the ongoing invasion of Ukraine has exposed the brutal methods used by Russian forces.
Recent months have seen multiple drone sightings leading to major air travel disruptions across Europe, with notable incidents occurring in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. Despite claims of hybrid warfare attributed to Russia, the Kremlin has consistently denied involvement.
Looking ahead, the UK is continuing its efforts to strengthen defenses against potential threats emanating from Russia, evidenced by the recent deployment of RAF Typhoon jets over Poland as part of NATO's mission to reinforce the eastern European flank in light of increasing incursions.
