UK Sends Military Aid to Counter Drone Threat in Belgium
Britain is deploying specialist Royal Air Force personnel to assist Belgium in tackling a series of disruptive drone incursions that brought air travel to a standstill at key airports last week. The move comes following a formal request for assistance from the Belgian government after unidentified drones were sighted over Brussels and Liège airports, as well as near military bases and nuclear facilities.
Russia Suspected as Likely Culprit in Coordinated Disruptions
While the origin of the drones remains officially unconfirmed, Russia has been identified as the most likely culprit. This incident is the latest in a string of disruptive activities observed across northern Europe this autumn. Sir Richard Knighton, the UK's Chief of the Defence Staff, stated that the British military would provide "our people, our equipment" to support its NATO ally. He emphasised that while "we don't yet know" definitively who was behind the flights, he was "very happy" to act in support of Belgium.
The decision underscores the growing concern over hybrid warfare tactics that operate below the threshold of traditional military conflict. Germany had already announced it was sending specialist assistance to Belgium last week, with French support also confirmed.
Broader Security Context and Military Readiness
The UK's assistance is expected to come from the RAF's dedicated counter-uncrewed aerial systems unit. This deployment occurs against a backdrop of heightened tensions, with German defence minister Boris Pistorius suggesting the drone incursions were "likely connected with the fight over the use of Russian frozen assets held by Belgium". Politicians in the EU and UK have been discussing how to release approximately €140bn (£120bn) in Russian central bank assets, held predominantly in Belgium, to support Ukraine.
In his first television interviews since taking over from Admiral Sir Tony Radakin in September, Knighton described Russia as "the most pressing threat right now". He highlighted the need for the UK to strengthen its defences against hybrid threats, including those from cyber space, sabotage, and assassination plots on British soil.
Knighton also acknowledged challenges facing the UK armed forces, stating they had been "hollowed out" after 30 years of cuts since the end of the Cold War. He confirmed gaps in weapons stockpiles and personnel shortages, despite plans to increase defence spending from £62.2bn this year to £71bn in 2027-28, aiming to reach 2.6% of GDP.
The chief of defence staff also addressed concerns about safety for women in the military following the tragic suicide of Gunner Jaysley Beck in 2021. Knighton described it as "a horrible case" and said "what happened to Jaysley was entirely unacceptable", while outlining reforms including a new independent defence serious crimes unit.
