Denmark has reached out to NATO following a drone incident at one of its airports. Aalborg Airport in Denmark had to divert incoming flights after drones were spotted in its airspace, leading to a temporary shutdown of the airport, which is also utilized by the military.
Authorities confirmed the presence of drones near Aalborg airport, prompting the closure of the airspace for further investigation by the police. The drones were observed flying with illuminated lights.
The Danish government has informed NATO about the intrusion but has not yet specified whether it has invoked Article 4, used when a member state feels its territorial integrity is under threat. It is distinct from Article 5, which pertains to collective defense, stating an attack on one member is an attack on all.
Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen described the drone incident as a “hybrid attack” likely orchestrated by a professional entity. He suggested that the drones may have been launched locally, as they did not originate from a far distance.
While there is no concrete evidence linking Russia to the incident currently, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen did not rule out the possibility of Russian involvement, especially in light of a recent drone-related incident at Copenhagen Airport.
During a press briefing, Minister Poulsen emphasized the coordinated nature of the operation, attributing it to a professional actor orchestrating a “hybrid attack” using various types of drones simultaneously in multiple locations.
Despite the capability to take down the drones, the Danish armed forces refrained from doing so to avoid endangering civilian lives, as confirmed by Minister Poulsen.
This incident follows a recent disruption at Copenhagen Airport when drones were sighted in the vicinity, leading to the temporary closure of the airport. Reports indicated the presence of up to three autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the airspace above the airport, prompting a swift response from law enforcement.