In a concerning development, Belgium’s Defense Minister has raised alarms about a potential espionage operation involving a series of unidentified drones observed hovering over a military base suspected of housing U.S. nuclear weapons.

Theo Francken, Belgium’s Defense Minister, took to social media to report that several drones had been detected over the weekend flying above the Kleine-Brogel Air Base, situated in northern Belgium.

“We attempted to deploy a drone jammer, but it proved ineffective… Law enforcement and a helicopter pursued the drone, but it managed to evade capture after several kilometers,” Francken stated.

He expressed gratitude towards the security personnel and police for their vigilance and efforts, adding, “We are intensifying our vigilance to apprehend those responsible for piloting these drones.”

The incident has heightened security concerns, especially given the sensitive nature of the site. Francken’s comments came during a media briefing at the Florennes Air Base in Brussels, where he was attending the official F-35 opening ceremony on October 13, 2025. (Image credit: Thierry Monasse/Getty Images)

Francken told RTBF, Belgium’s French-language public broadcaster, the situation was “very concerning” and “worrying.”

The defense minister added that the incidents were under investigation but suggested they could have been part of a spying operation.

“They [the drones] come to spy, to see where the F-16s are, where the munitions are, and other highly strategic items,” Francken told RTBF. “It’s not a drone that just happened to cross the military base. It was there for a long time, so it was definitely for spying.”

Kleine-Brogel is integral to NATO’s nuclear deterrence posture in Europe and houses F-16 fighter jets, according to its website. The air base said on its website that the jets will be replaced in a few years by the F-35A, the U.S. Air Force’s latest fifth-generation fighter.

Nuclear watchdogs have reported the base as home to U.S. nuclear bombs under NATO weapons sharing agreements.

A Belgian F-16 jet takes part in NATO’s “Steadfast Noon” nuclear deterrence drill at Kleine-Brogel Air Base in Belgium on October 18, 2022. (Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP via Getty Images)

In a series of airspace incursions in September, Russian drones entered Poland and three MiG-31 fighter jets crossed into Estonia, prompting NATO aircraft to intercept and escort them out.

Belgium’s defense minister said he couldn’t confirm Russia was behind the drones over Kleine-Brogel but noted the Kremlin’s motives were clear and accused Moscow of waging a “hybrid war” across Europe.

President Donald Trump told reporters in September on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly that NATO countries should shoot down Russian aircraft that violate their airspace.

A “No Drone Zone” sign is displayed in central Moscow on January 11, 2024, prohibiting the use of unmanned aerial vehicles in the area. (Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP via Getty Images)

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also warned Moscow after a series of drone incursions that the 32-member alliance is prepared to defend every inch of NATO territory.

“We are a defensive Alliance, yes, but we are not naive, so we see what is happening and whether it is intentional or not – if it is not intentional, then it is blatantly incompetence,” he said. “And of course, even if it is incompetence, we still have to defend ourselves.”