Drone incidents at airports and military bases across Jutland, western Denmark, have not resulted in any harm or damage; however, they have unveiled significant vulnerabilities in the country's defenses. This reality leaves Denmark – a founding member of NATO – grappling with the embarrassment of being exposed.
Aalborg and Billund airports were forced to close on Wednesday night due to the drone sightings, with additional reports from Esbjerg, Sonderborg, and Skrydstrup military base. The latter is home to F-35 and F-16 warplanes. Drones were also detected over the Jutland Dragoon regiment.
Authorities are now investigating drone activities around Denmark's oil and gas infrastructure in the North Sea and near the central port of Korsor. The perceived threat continued into Thursday with another suspected drone sighting at Aalborg airport.
The Danish military is currently faced with a critical question: how to respond effectively to these incursions, with officials highlighting a perceived systematic and hybrid nature of the threats posed by these drone activities.
Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen described the situation as systematic but refrained from attributing blame. Reports suggest that the Danish government is considering invoking NATO's Article 4 for security discussions, given that various NATO members, including Norway and Poland, face similar hybrid warfare challenges.
Despite the alarming situation, no drones have been shot down, as defense chiefs opted for restraint. Military officials highlight the dangers of potential fallout from retaliatory actions, especially in urban areas or near critical infrastructure.
Denmark's chief defenders have articulated the need for a more integrated air defense strategy and investment in long-range weaponry. Yet, for now, they lack the tools to intercept or mitigate the threat posed by these drones effectively.
The discourse also reflects an urgent call for collaboration among NATO allies to address the growing spectral nature of drone warfare, underscoring that if Russia is indeed behind these activities, it highlights their success in hybrid warfare strategies.
Denmark's path forward entails recalibrating its defense posture while engaging in cooperative efforts with partners to enhance its preparedness against emerging aerial threats.
