Belgium was involved in NATO response against drones over Poland
On Tuesday night, Belgian military personnel assisted in the NATO operation against Russian drones that had entered Polish airspace. Two soldiers were involved in resupplying the F-35s that were called in to take down the drones in the air, Defence minister Theo Francken told Radio 1 on Thursday.
Nineteen Russian drones penetrated Polish airspace on Tuesday night. In response, Polish F-16s and Dutch F-35s were deployed to destroy the drones. An Italian radar aircraft and a tanker aircraft from the multinational Airbus A330 MRTT fleet also took off. Belgium is part of that multinational fleet.
On Thursday morning, Francken explained that Belgian military personnel were part of NATO's response. According to the Defence minister, two Belgian soldiers manned an air-to-air refuelling aircraft deployed during the operation, supplying the F-35s with kerosine during the operation.
According to Francken, the breach of Polish airspace was indeed a deliberate action by the Russians. While only a third of the drones were downed, he stressed that NATO proved it is able to take swift action.
The minister also used the opportunity to call for more investment in air defence. "We need to strengthen our air defences. Here as well. Belgium has nothing, only F-16s," he said, adding that purchases of counter-drone defence solutions are in the works.
© BELGA PHOTO ERIC LALMAND
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