Air traffic above the southern Dutch city of Eindhoven has been suspended after unidentified drones were spotted near the airport.
Drones were first observed late on Friday over the nearby Volkel air force base. Weapons were deployed to try to shoot them down but the devices got away.
Following more drone sightings near the main airport on Saturday, the airspace in the area was closed to both civilian and military flights. Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans stated that 'counter-drone assets' were prepared for intervention.
This incident is the latest in a series of drone sightings at military installations and airfields in northern Europe in recent months. Russia has denied allegations of involvement.
Additionally, Volkel Air Base not only serves the Royal Netherlands Air Force but also hosts a US Air Force squadron as part of NATO.
Officials stated that for security reasons, they would not disclose details on how the drones were first spotted or what actions were attempted to bring them down.
Drones have been reported at other Dutch air bases in recent weeks, as well as at facilities in neighboring Belgium, Denmark, and Germany. A lack of evidence concerning their origins has complicated investigations, as many of these drones depart shortly after appearing.
Some European officials have suggested that these sightings may point to 'hybrid warfare' tactics from Russia, considering the affected nations' alliance with Ukraine. However, the Kremlin has refuted these claims.
In response to the escalating drone incidents, defence ministers from ten EU countries have agreed to create a 'drone wall', while individual nations seek to secure anti-drone defense measures.
