NATO will step up surveillance and defence in the Baltic Sea region after a series of unidentified drone sightings over military bases and airports in Denmark and Norway. Copenhagen’s main airport and five smaller airports were temporarily closed this week due to drone activity.
The alliance is deploying additional intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets, as well as at least one air-defence frigate, to strengthen its “Baltic Sentry” mission, launched earlier this year to protect undersea infrastructure. These measures come alongside the new “Eastern Sentry” mission, aimed at countering Russian drone activity near Poland.
European leaders are increasingly alarmed by the drone incursions, widely suspected to be linked to Russia. Germany is considering allowing its military to shoot down drones, while Denmark plans to enhance its detection and defence systems. The incidents highlight growing security concerns in northern Europe amid escalating tensions with Moscow.