Europe Races to Improve Drone Defence After New Airspace Intrusions

Late on December 4, five drones were seen over the Île Longue naval base in France. The base holds the country’s nuclear-armed submarines. The drones forced marines to use jammers. Days earlier, drones appeared near Dublin Airport. The aircraft flew close to the path of the plane carrying Ukraine’s president.European officials say the source is unclear. But many now believe Russia is behind several cases. According to Reuters and other major outlets, more sightings have hit military sites and key infrastructure across Europe.

Europe Drone Defence Efforts Grow After Rising Airspace Threats

Drone incidents in Europe have increased fast. Analysts say thousands of civilian drones move through the skies each day. One study shows more than 3,800 close encounters with planes in 2024. That number was around 1,700 the year before. Officials say false sightings also happen, which adds to public worry.But several cases appear linked to foreign actors. Dutch and German investigators saw patterns between drone sightings and movements of Russian-crewed ships. Reports say some drones may even launch from vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet. According to BBC and Reuters, leaders in Ireland and Denmark warned of possible hybrid attacks.Detection remains the first problem. Standard radar does not pick up small drones well. Police often depend on passive sensors that track radio signals. Active radar works better but costs more and needs trained teams.Stopping drones is the next step. Forces first try soft-kill tools like jammers or spoofing. Jammers cut contact between pilot and drone. Spoofing sends false signals to mislead the aircraft. Experts told Reuters that if these tools fail, the drone is likely not using commercial parts.Hard-kill options are the final choice. Guns are not reliable because drones move fast and change direction. Shotguns work better but still struggle. Dutch troops fired at drones over Volkel air base in November but found no wreckage.

New Drone Laws and Security Steps Across Europe

Governments worry about when to act. Shooting down drones can cause damage on the ground. A falling drone may hit people or cars. Bullets shot into the air can travel far. For this reason, most airspace closures happen before any hard-kill action.Britain, Germany, Poland, and Lithuania have now changed laws. Police and soldiers can shoot down dangerous drones under strict rules. This shift followed repeated disruptions. In 2018, Gatwick Airport shut down for days when drones appeared near runways. Military help was needed. Airports across Europe now invest in their own counter-drone tools.Experts say covering every site is costly. Ireland plans to spend millions on new systems. A single battery is placed near Dublin to protect visiting leaders. But this pulls equipment from military bases, creating gaps.Some drone cases remain unsolved. Drones seen near RAF bases in 2024 still have no confirmed link. European governments warn they cannot protect every site at all times. Still, they aim to stop future incidents from causing chaos.

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Europe drone defence is now a top priority. Leaders say the continent must stay ready as threats evolve. The push to stop hostile drones will shape European security for years to come.

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Q1: Why is Europe boosting drone defence?

Europe is boosting drone defence because more drones are entering restricted airspace. Some cases may involve hostile actors. Officials want faster detection and response.

Q2: What drones were spotted in France?

Five drones flew over a French nuclear submarine base on December 4. Marines used jammers to respond. The source remains under investigation.

Q3: Are these drones linked to Russia?

Officials have not confirmed publicly. But many now say Russia is likely behind some events. Patterns near Russian-crewed ships raised concern.

Q4: Why is detection difficult?

Small drones are hard to see on standard radar. They move slowly and blend with clutter. New sensors are needed for better tracking.

Q5: Can police shoot drones now?

Some countries changed laws in late 2025. Police and armed forces can act if a drone is a threat. Each case still needs careful judgment.