COPENHAGEN — Danish officials are responding to an extraordinary series of drone incursions that they say have targeted critical infrastructure across the country and forced temporary airport closures.
The Danish Armed Forces reported on September 27 that drones were observed at several of their installations, including a key air base at Skrydstrup and the Jutland Dragoon Regiment, and warned that they are prepared to bring down unmanned aircraft if they pose an immediate threat.
“The Danish Armed Forces may choose to take down drones over military installations, taking into account the specific threat and risk assessment.”
The National Police reported that they logged more than 500 drone reports in a single 24-hour period and held a joint press briefing to coordinate the response.
Investigators are examining whether the flights were launched from the sea, recalling an earlier incident in January when up to 20 large drones were seen over Køge Marina and disappeared at high speed over the water.
Government ministers have characterized the pattern as a potential “hybrid attack,” a term used for operations that blur the lines between military and non-military tactics. Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard and Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said the flights appeared to be the work of a professional actor carrying out a systematic operation designed to sow fear and uncertainty.
The disruption has been felt well beyond military sites. Both Copenhagen and Aalborg airports were forced to close temporarily after drones were sighted near their runways, diverting flights and stranding passengers. In response, aviation authorities imposed a temporary ban on all civilian drone flights over the Copenhagen area from September 30 to October 3.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called the incidents “the most serious assault on Denmark’s critical infrastructure to date,” while emphasizing that investigators have not identified the operators or their motives. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte acknowledged the Danish reports in a press conference on broader European airspace security, underscoring the alliance’s concern over the evolving threat.
Authorities caution that many details remain under investigation and have urged the public to report any further sightings. Officials say the incidents highlight the challenge of defending against rapidly advancing drone technology and the need for updated counter-UAS legislation, even as they stress that no injuries have been reported.
