The British military has been dispatched to Belgium following a series of alarming drone incursions believed to be linked to Russia, which forced the shutdown of major airports and sparked widespread security concerns across Europe.
European Airspace Crisis
Suspected Russian drones entered European airspace earlier this month, causing significant disruption and panic. Airports in Brussels, Liege and Charleroi were forced to suspend all air traffic, with flights being diverted to alternative sites in the Netherlands and France. Similar drone sightings have been reported above airports in Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway, creating a continent-wide security alert.
New Chief of Defence Staff Sir Richard Knighton confirmed this morning that the UK had agreed to provide Belgium with both troops and military hardware to help combat the growing threat. The deployment has already begun, marking a significant show of solidarity between NATO allies.
Caution Urged Amid Growing Tensions
Despite widespread suspicion pointing towards Russia, Sir Richard urged caution in confirming the source of the drones. 'It is important to be clear, though, that we don't know – and the Belgians don't yet know – the source of those drones,' he told the BBC's Sunday Morning with Laura Kuenssberg. 'But we will help them by providing our kit and capability.'
The Air Chief Marshal emphasised that the UK and its 31 NATO allies would 'work to support each other' in the face of such hybrid threats. He expressed being 'very happy' to see UK military personnel sent to assist Belgium.
This deployment occurs against a backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions that Sir Richard highlighted on Remembrance Sunday. He referenced growing threats from cyber warfare, disinformation, and hybrid tactics designed to 'destabilise societies and undermine democratic institutions.'
Broader Defence Challenges
In a wider plea to British society, Sir Richard urged people to get behind the armed forces during an increasingly unstable global period. 'Defence is not the responsibility of the military alone,' he wrote in The Sunday Telegraph. 'It is a national endeavour. It requires investment, innovation and the support of a society that understands the stakes.'
This call comes as Ministry of Defence data reveals a steady decline in army personnel numbers, dropping from 197,137 in January 2022 to 180,779 as of January 2025. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described this trend as 'tragic and concerning,' attributing it to a loss of national identity and failing public institutions.
Sir Richard, who took over as Chief of Defence Staff in September, will be responsible for delivering the Strategic Defence Review in June 2026. The government aims to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by April 2027, addressing what Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously called the 'low number' of troops.
The ongoing war in Ukraine has fundamentally altered European security calculations. Sir Richard noted that Putin's illegal invasion has 'shattered assumptions about the security of Europe' and represents 'a direct challenge to the international rules-based order.'
