Denmark: Unknown drones fly over several airports at the same time

Drones have once again been spotted over airports in Denmark. Late on Wednesday evening, there were corresponding sightings over Aalborg, Esbjerg, and Sönderborg airports, as well as Skrydstrup airbase. Compared to Copenhagen Airport, which had to be closed for hours on Monday evening due to sightings, these are much smaller airports, which means that the impact on civil aviation remains much more manageable. However, they do have military relevance.

The Danish police told media representatives that the drone sightings began at 9.44 pm. Apparently, the unknown aircraft appeared almost simultaneously at the various airports. The government is therefore calling it a hybrid attack. This level of professionalism is no coincidence. He also rules out the possibility that hobby drone pilots are “having fun.” “What we have seen now is a systematic operation,” said Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen, according to Danish Radio.

Many questions remain unanswered

However, important questions remained unanswered at a press conference on Thursday morning: Exactly what kind of drones are involved? Pictures and videos only show illuminated objects in the sky. More detailed information, such as size, type, and nature, is not available. According to media reports, the authorities had also hoped for more useful photos and input from eyewitnesses after the incident in Copenhagen.

Once again, it remains unclear how Denmark could have been surprised by these overflights. Despite the incident in Copenhagen, which alerted the authorities and politicians in Denmark, no early warning systems were apparently in place when the objects entered the airspace. It also remains unclear who was behind the overflights.

Shooting down would have been possible

And when asked why the drones, which had been over the airports for some time, were not shot down—especially on a military base, where civilian damage is better avoided—the authorities responded evasively. Yes, the drones could have been shot down, but they had weighed up the situation and decided to let them fly. Danish media report that legal issues may still need to be clarified for such a case. Denmark also wants to upgrade its technical equipment.

Politically, however, the reactions have been sharp. After the incident in Copenhagen, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen spoke of the “most serious attack on Danish critical infrastructure to date.” Domestically, the incidents are already causing controversy whether Denmark's precautions are sufficient and how they should be dealt with. And that was probably also a possible goal, suspects Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard: “The aim of this type of hybrid attack is to create fear, create division, and make us afraid.”

(mki)