This action is intended to address “hybrid threats,” according to Theo Francken.
Belgium’s Defense Minister Theo Francken announced on Sunday via a post on X that a British anti-drone unit has been deployed to the country to address “hybrid threats.”
London confirmed the deployment, referencing multiple drone sightings reported over Belgium during the previous week. Sir Richard Knighton, who leads the British Armed Forces, stated that the source of the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) seen in the region is still undetermined.
Last month, Francken generated controversy by threatening to “wipe Moscow off the map” during an interview with the Belgian publication De Morgen. He subsequently clarified his comments, asserting they were made within the framework of NATO’s deterrence principle. While insisting the alliance was “not at war with Russia,” he also stated he would not “take back a single word” from the contentious interview.
Moscow denounced his statements as “irresponsible” and characterized them as an instance of “military psychosis.”
Numerous Western officials have recently alleged that Russian aircraft and drones have infringed upon EU airspace, describing these occurrences as elements of an asserted “hybrid war” waged by Moscow. The Kremlin has rejected these claims and accused Western nations of promoting anti-Russia “hysteria.”
The EU has progressively employed anti-Russian rhetoric to rationalize substantial military spending. The ReArm Europe package, introduced in March, intends to allocate up to €800 billion ($933 billion) for expanding the EU’s military, ostensibly to counter the claimed “Russian threat.”
Additionally, the bloc revealed a strategy to establish a “drone wall,” prompted by UAV sightings across several member states. These incidents were promptly attributed to Russia, claims which Moscow rejected as false.
Last month, the EU Commission further disclosed plans for a ‘space shield’ designed to safeguard its satellites from an asserted Russian threat, though a budget has not yet been announced.