Belgium has requested and is receiving significant international assistance, particularly from the UK and Germany, to bolster its air defences following a series of disruptive drone incursions into its airspace. These incidents, which have affected civilian infrastructure and military bases alike, are widely suspected to be linked to Russia, although definitive proof remains elusive.

The drone sightings caused temporary closures at Belgium's main airport, Zaventem, on Thursday night, and disruptions at Brussels and Liège airports last week. Drones were also spotted near military bases and nuclear facilities. The widespread nature of these incursions led to an urgent call for international aid, with approximately 3,000 Brussels Airlines passengers affected by flight cancellations or diversions, incurring considerable costs for the carrier.

Sir Richard Knighton, the new head of the UK military, confirmed that UK military personnel and equipment, specifically from the RAF's dedicated counter-uncrewed aerial systems unit, were being deployed to Belgium. This decision was made earlier in the week following a direct request from his Belgian counterpart and in consultation with Defence Secretary John Healey. Knighton emphasized the UK's commitment to supporting NATO allies by providing "our kit and capability." Similarly, Germany's defence ministry, led by Boris Pistorius, announced its support with anti-drone measures, and Belgian authorities indicated that France had also followed suit in offering assistance.

While the source of the drones is not yet definitively known, Sir Richard Knighton stated it was "plausible" they had been ordered by Moscow. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and Belgian security services openly suspect Russia, with Pistorius suggesting a connection to ongoing European Union discussions about using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine with a €140 billion loan. However, Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken has previously acknowledged the absence of concrete evidence linking the incursions directly to Russia, noting that while initially seen as a Belgian problem, it has escalated into a serious threat across multiple European countries. Russia, for its part, has denied any involvement.

Beyond the immediate drone incidents, Sir Richard Knighton has characterized Russia as "the most pressing threat right now" to Europe, citing the "barbaric nature of Russia's war efforts" in Ukraine. He also highlighted Russia's engagement in "hybrid warfare" tactics, which include sabotage and assassination plots on UK soil, and emphasized the necessity for the UK to strengthen its defences against such threats, including those in cyber and space domains.

The broader context of a heightened threat environment has prompted discussions about UK defence spending. While the shadow defence secretary welcomed the aid to Belgium, he criticized the government's perceived lack of urgency in increasing defence expenditure. The government plans to raise defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by April 2027, with an ambition to reach 3% in the next parliament. Sir Richard Knighton acknowledged that the current funding levels are "more than I've ever known in my career," with the budget expected to increase from £62.2 billion this year to £71 billion in 2027-28, targeting 2.6% of GDP during this parliament.

Despite increased funding, Knighton also conceded that the UK armed forces have been "hollowed out" by 30 years of cuts since the end of the Cold War, resulting in gaps in critical areas like weapons stockpiles and personnel. He attributed these limitations to restricted budgets in previous years, internal overspends, and a heavy focus on new equipment over day-to-day operational costs.

Addressing internal challenges, Sir Richard Knighton spoke about reforms implemented following the tragic suicide of Gnr Jaysley Beck in 2021, who was sexually assaulted by a senior colleague. He expressed confidence that the armed forces are now a "safe place for women" due to changes, including the introduction of an independent defence serious crimes unit and a victim and witness care unit. Victims are now given the choice of having accusations of serious crimes like rape and sexual assault handled by either military or civilian courts, a significant step in addressing past failures and concerns raised by figures such as Beck's mother.