Denmark has reached out to NATO following a drone incident at one of the country’s airports. Inbound flights to Aalborg Airport in Denmark were redirected after the airport, which is also utilized by the military, closed down due to drone activity in its airspace.
Authorities stated that drones were sighted near Aalborg airport, leading to the closure of the airspace. Law enforcement is on-site investigating the matter as the drones were observed flying with illuminated lights.
The Danish government has informed NATO about the breach but has not confirmed if Article 4 has been invoked, a provision that member states can activate when their territorial integrity is perceived to be under threat. This clause is distinct from Article 5, which pertains to collective defense, indicating an attack on one member is considered an attack on all.
Troels Lund Poulsen, Denmark’s Minister of Defence, described the drone incident as a “hybrid attack” likely orchestrated by a skilled perpetrator. He suggested that the drones were launched locally rather than originating from a distant location.
While there is currently no evidence linking Russia to the incident, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen mentioned that Russian involvement cannot be ruled out, particularly following an earlier incident at Copenhagen Airport.
During a press briefing, Mr. Poulsen emphasized the sophisticated nature of the operation, indicating a professional actor was likely involved in a coordinated effort across multiple locations simultaneously, defining it as a hybrid attack utilizing various types of drones.
Despite the capability to intercept the drones, the Danish armed forces refrained from shooting them down due to potential risks to civilians. This incident occurred shortly after drones were spotted near Copenhagen Airport, leading to its temporary closure and causing significant disruptions.
Reports indicated the presence of up to three autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) hovering over the airport airspace as law enforcement responded to the situation.
