Denmark will ban civilian drone flights during the EU summit for security reasons, said Transport Minister Thomas Danielsen. Photo / Getty Images
Denmark will ban civilian drone flights during the EU summit for security reasons, said Transport Minister Thomas Danielsen. Photo / Getty Images
Denmark will ban all civilian drone flights across the country over the coming days to ensure security as Copenhagen hosts a European Union summit gathering heads of government, the Transport Ministry said today.
Mysterious drone sightings across Denmark since September 22 have prompted the closure of several airports, with Denmarkhinting at possible Russian involvement, though Moscow denies the charge.
Drones were observed over Danish military sites yesterday for the second straight day, Denmark’s Army said today.
Copenhagen is to host an EU summit on Thursday and Friday NZT.
“Denmark will host EU leaders in the coming week, where we will have extra focus on security. Therefore, from Monday to Friday [local time], we will close the Danish airspace to all civilian drone flights,” Transport Minister Thomas Danielsen said in a statement.
“The police are on heightened alert, and our authorities must use their forces where necessary to take care of Danes and our guests.”
He said the ban would mean police would not have to “spend their efforts on civilian drones” that did not pose a problem to security and police.
Danish police said they had received more than 500 reports of drone flights from the public, most of which were dismissed as being not of interest.
In neighbouring Norway, airport operator Avinor said today that drone “activity” was observed at Bronnoysund Airport, one of four airports in northern Norway where air and land restrictions for drones had been extended to 10km from yesterday to tomorrow as “a precautionary measure”.
“This affected one incoming flight, which was instructed to delay its landing and has now diverted to an alternate airport,” Avinor said in a statement sent to AFP.
Avinor provided no details about the number of drones observed or where they may have come from.
Drones were observed over Danish military sites overnight for the second straight day, Denmark's Army said. Photo / Emil Nicolai Helms, AFP
Nato ‘enhances vigilance’
Norway is already investigating “possible sightings of drones” on Sunday near its biggest military base, Orland, where its F-35 fighter jets are parked.
And Germany said it wants to authorise its military to shoot down drones after a “swarm” was spotted over the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein, which borders Denmark.
Nato said it had “enhanced vigilance” in the Baltic following the intrusions.
The reinforced measures “include multiple intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms and at least one air-defence frigate” in the region to the west of Russia, alliance spokesman Martin O’Donnell told reporters.
The string of drone sightings in the past week comes after drone incursions in Polish and Romanian territory and the violation of Estonian airspace by Russian fighter jets, which raised tensions in light of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Danish investigators have so far failed to identify those responsible for the drone flights over Denmark. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said last week that “there is one main country that poses a threat to Europe’s security, and it is Russia”.
Moscow said it “firmly rejects” any suggestion that it was involved in the Danish incidents.
Defence ministers from around 10 EU countries agreed to make a so-called “drone wall” a priority for the bloc.
