How European Nations are Strengthening Anti Drone Capabilities Amid Baltic Sea Tensions

Denmark has imposed a temporary, nationwide ban on all civilian drone flights, effective from Monday to Friday, as Copenhagen prepares to host a series of high profile European summits. The move comes in direct response to a recent surge of suspicious and unidentified drone sightings over military installations and major civilian airports across the country, which Danish authorities have labeled a "hybrid attack." The objective of the ban is to eliminate security risks and ensure the safety of European leaders attending the forthcoming meetings.

The temporary prohibition on all civilian drone traffic is a significant security measure taken ahead of an informal European Union summit on Wednesday, followed by a meeting of the 47 member European Political Community on Thursday. Both events will be held in Copenhagen and bring together heads of government from across the continent. Danish officials state that the blanket ban is necessary to simplify the work of security forces and to remove the risk of confusing legitimate civilian drones with potential "enemy drones" during this period of heightened alert. Violators of the ban face a fine or imprisonment for up to two years.

This decision follows a week of increasing security concerns, beginning with multiple drone sightings on a Monday that forced the temporary closure of Copenhagen Airport. Subsequent incidents led to the grounding of flights at several other Danish airports, both civilian and military, and new sightings were reported at military bases over the weekend. Danish officials, including the Prime Minister, have suggested that Russia could be behind the incursions, describing the events as part of a systematic operation designed to create disruption and uncertainty, though Moscow has firmly denied any involvement.

In response to the escalating regional tensions and the drone incidents, NATO has announced "enhanced vigilance" in the Baltic Sea region, including the deployment of a German air defence frigate to Copenhagen to assist with airspace surveillance during the summits. Furthermore, Denmark has secured a military anti-drone system from Sweden and will receive anti drone detection capabilities from Germany. These international security assets underscore the seriousness with which European nations are treating the unexplained aerial activity and the overall security environment in Northern Europe. The collective actions reflect a concerted effort to deter future provocations and safeguard critical infrastructure and high profile political gatherings. The focus remains on maintaining security while also seeking to identify the actors responsible for the deliberate disruptions.