Drones spotted over Danish army base after flyovers wreak havoc in Europe

Danish authorities are investigating after mysterious drones flew over several of the country’s airports (Picture: Steven Knap / Reuters)

Denmark spotted drones flying over several army bases overnight – part of a wave of unexplained sightings causing chaos across Europe.

The Danish defence ministry said it deployed ‘several capacities’ after sightings from Saturday into Sunday.

While it is not clear who is behind the drone activity, Denmark’s prime minister and Nato’s secretary-general said last week that Russian involvement could not be ruled out.

Russia’s embassy in Denmark last week rejected claims of Moscow’s involvement in the incidents.

It is yet another example of unexplained drone activity after several incidents last week, including over five Danish airports.

Today, flights were diverted from an airport on the Spanish island of Fuerteventura following drone activity.

Norway is investigating drone sightings near its Oerland air force base while France has increased security following sightings above its Mourmelon-le-Grand base.

Denmark’s defence ministry has not specified exactly what ‘capacities’ were deployed following the sightings on Saturday night.

Flights have been cancelled and delayed flight signs at Fuerteventura airport following drone activity (Picture: Europa Press News / Getty Images)

The incursions came just after a Nato meeting in which a key figure pledged to crank up regional security.

On Saturday, Colonel Martin O’Donnell, the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe spokesman, announced: ‘We will conduct even more enhanced vigilance with new multi-domain assets in the Baltic Sea region, which includes Denmark, under Baltic Sentry.’

He said Nato leaders had been in constant contact with Danish leaders about the recent drone flights.

New assets would include ‘multiple intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms and at least one air defence frigate’.

Germany has separately promised to provide military support for the European Union summit later this week in Copenhagen.

The German Navy frigate FGS Hamburg F220 – a Nato air defence frigate – reportedly docked in Copenhagen to strengthen surveillance in the Baltic Sea.

Germany will also deploy ‘counter-small unmanned aircraft systems capabilities’, known as C-UAS – detection systems that use radar, optical and acoustics technologies.

Sweden announced earlier that it would ‘lend Denmark a military anti-drone capability’, without giving further details.

Tensions have been running high in Denmark in recent days following reports of drone activity, and hundreds of possible sightings reported by concerned citizens.

The public has been asked to report all suspicious activity to the police.

Danish minister of justice Peter Hummelgaard said last Thursday that the goal of the flyovers is to sow fear and division.

He said the country would seek additional ways to neutralise drones, including proposing legislation that would allow infrastructure owners to shoot them down.

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