Denmark has recently experienced a series of drone sightings over airports and military sites. These events have sparked major security concerns and raised questions about how to stop them. In this post, I will explain what’s happening, why it matters, and what Denmark might do next.
What Happened?
- Over the past days, drones were spotted over four airports and near military bases in Denmark. AP News+2Financial Times+2
- Airports affected include Aalborg, Esbjerg, Sønderborg, and Skrydstrup (which hosts fighter jets) AP News+3Reuters+3Business Insider+3
- One drone incident earlier this week also disrupted operations at Copenhagen Airport for several hours. Reuters+3AP News+3AP News+3
- Authorities describe the pattern as “systematic” and possibly a hybrid attack by a skilled actor. Financial Times+1
- No public confirmation yet on who is behind the attacks. Some officials mention that Russia cannot be ruled out, but there is no proof so far. Business Insider+4AP News+4CBS News+4
Why It Matters
- Critical infrastructure risk
Airports and military bases are vital to safety and national defense. Disrupting them creates major problems. CBS News+3Reuters+3Financial Times+3 - Psychological impact
These incursions may aim to sow fear, uncertainty, and instability more than to cause major damage. AP News+2CBS News+2 - Weakness in drone defense
Small, stealthy drones are hard to detect and stop using traditional air defenses. Financial Times+2Sky News+2 - Escalation risk
Misidentifying the attacker or responding aggressively could worsen tensions between nations. - Need for new rules
International laws about drones and airspace are still catching up. Countries may disagree on what is allowed in such “gray zone” scenarios.
What Can Denmark Do?
Here are potential actions and strategies:
1. Better detection and monitoring
Use more advanced radar, infrared, acoustic or camera sensors that can spot small drones. Deploy drones to watch for drones.
2. Countermeasures
- Electronic warfare: Jamming signals to disable drone controls
- Intercepting drones: Net launchers, interceptor drones, or other devices
- Directed energy weapons (e.g. lasers) in limited roles
3. Legal and policy updates
- Define clear rules on when drones can be shot down
- Enable infrastructure operators legally to act against intruding drones
- Develop doctrine for “hybrid attacks”
4. Alliances and cooperation
- Work with NATO and EU neighbors for collective defense and intelligence sharing Reuters+3CBS News+3Financial Times+3
- Possibly invoke NATO’s Article 4 (consultation between allies when a member feels threatened) CBS News+2AP News+2
5. Resilience and preparedness
- Hardening critical systems (airports, radars, communications)
- Civil defense plans: public alerts, emergency drills
- Simulation and exercises for drone defense
Possible Risks and Trade-Offs
- Overreaction might escalate a crisis between nations
- Investing in drone defense is expensive
- Authorities might struggle to attribute attacks correctly
- Deploying some countermeasures (e.g. shooting down drones) risks collateral damage