Drones over Denmark’s largest military base prompt NATO review after airport attacks

Danish authorities reported overnight drone sightings over multiple locations, including Karup Air Base in western Denmark, as the country weighs its options after a wave of drone incidents that previously grounded flights at Aalborg and Copenhagen airports. The Danish Armed Forces confirmed the sightings and said several capabilities were deployed to monitor and respond to the activity. Police said drones were observed near the Karup air base, reinforcing concerns that the technology is being used to probe or disrupt key military and civilian sites. Reuters cited Ritzau News Agency in reporting the details of the sightings, underscoring the coordination between security services and local police as Denmark tallies potential next steps in its response to the events.

The sightings come amid a broader pattern of drone activity that has unsettled Danish authorities and raised questions across the alliance. Earlier this week, Aalborg Airport—used by the Danish military—was closed after drone reports, disrupting air traffic and prompting authorities to characterize the incident as a hybrid attack launched by a professional actor working locally. Danish officials indicated the drones were not believed to originate from Russia, and they emphasized that attribution is still under investigation. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called the episode the most serious attack on Danish critical infrastructure to date, while signaling that the government was weighing all options, including diplomatic or security channels within NATO. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte told reporters after speaking with Frederiksen that the alliance is taking the incidents “very seriously” and is coordinating with Denmark to safeguard critical infrastructure.

In the wake of those developments, Norway reported drone encounters near a central air force base in the country that houses F-35 fighter jets. Norwegian police said guards at the base observed several drones outside the perimeter early on Saturday, according to Reuters, which noted the strategic importance of the site for Norway’s defense posture. The Norwegian incident added to a momentum of cross-border security concerns as European nations reassess vulnerabilities around both civilian and military aviation facilities. Danish and Norwegian authorities were careful to emphasize the lack of confirmed attribution to any single actor as investigations proceed, but the episodes have nonetheless underscored the potential for drones to be used in targeted disruption or reconnaissance.

The Danish government has faced questions about whether to trigger NATO’s Article 4, which would prompt consultations among allied nations. Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen publicly stated there was no current reason to invoke Article 4, according to Reuters, even as other officials and observers considered the possibility in the context of ongoing drone activity. The distinction matters, because Article 4 has historically been used to rally allied support and assess collective defense options, whereas Article 5 remains the alliance’s core mutual-defense pledge. Danish officials have stressed that, at this stage, there has been no formal move to escalate under Article 4, and no decision has been made to shoot down any drones or engage in aerial confrontation as a matter of policy.

The drone episode has also brought renewed attention to how NATO and member states will respond to similar threats in the future. Rutte noted that while there is no immediate trigger for collective action, the alliance is working to strengthen resilience around critical infrastructure and to ensure interoperable responses among member states. In Denmark, the government has signaled that it may explore additional security measures, potentially including intelligence-sharing enhancements, deterrence options, and contingency planning for critical sites, as it continues to assess both the technical and operational implications of the drone activity.

On Monday, Copenhagen Airport faced a separate drone incident reminiscent of the earlier disruption in Aalborg. Danish authorities again underscored that the drones appeared to be launched locally and that attribution was not confirmed to any foreign entity. BBC coverage of the incident cited the Danish government’s characterization of the attacks as “hybrid” and described attempts to link them to an actor operating within Danish borders. Danish Prime Minister Frederiksen reiterated the seriousness of the episode, while noting that Denmark would keep all options open as authorities pursue the investigation. The remarks, along with NATO’s statements, reinforce a strategic posture that emphasizes both defensive readiness and disciplined, evidence-based attribution before any public accusations are leveled.

The pace and scope of the drone activity have prompted domestic and international observers to call for clear, transparent communication from authorities about what is known and what remains uncertain. Danish officials have emphasized that the investigations are ongoing and that security services are coordinating with police, the military, and international partners. While attribution remains a central challenge, officials say the immediate priority is preventing disruption to air travel and safeguarding critical infrastructure. Norway’s case similarly remains under investigation, with authorities indicating vigilance rather than conclusions as investigators examine flight patterns, drone characteristics, and possible links to broader patterns of disturbance affecting NATO members.

As the security environment evolves, Danish leaders say the country will continue to assess appropriate responses in coordination with its allies. The incidents have tested Denmark’s ability to respond to a novel threat in the near term, as technology that enables rapid, low-risk incursions into sensitive zones becomes more accessible. Officials stress that any future actions will be guided by verified intelligence, due process, and a commitment to maintaining civilian and military functional continuity. The international dimension of the issue—where and how to attribute responsibility and what measures to take—will likely remain a central feature of the public narrative for some time to come, with NATO’s support and Denmark’s defensive posture at the forefront of the policy discussion.

Authorities in Denmark and Norway continue to manage the immediate security implications while investigations unfold. The goal remains to identify the perpetrators behind the drone activity, deter future incidents, and ensure that critical infrastructure—including major airports and military installations—remains operational and secure. The public safety lessons and policy responses from this episode could shape how Denmark and its allies prepare for and respond to evolving drone-based threats in the months ahead.