Danish authorities consider this measure “eliminates the risk of hostile drones being confused with legal drones and vice versa.” This Sunday the Danish Armed Forces again detected drones to fly over their military facilities
Hours after the Danish Armed Forces have detected – new drones to fly over their military facilities, the Mette Frederiksen government has made a decision: it will ban all civilian flights next week to ensure the safety of the EU summit that will bring together heads of government in Copenhagen.
“Denmark will receive European leaders next week and we will pay special attention to safety. So from Monday to Friday, we will close the Danish airspace to all civilian drone flights,” Thomas Danielsen said.
The announcement comes after the Danish Armed Forces announced the sighting of drones about the country’s military facilities at night for the second consecutive day after several violations of European airspace by Russian aircraft in recent days.
Earlier, police confirmed that “one or two drones” had been observed on Friday night near and above the country’s largest Karup base, which houses all the armed forces helicopters, airspace surveillance, aviation school and support functions.
The incident joins those who have been running since Monday in a campaign that the Danish government has described as acts of “hybrid war.” The intrusion.
Drone flights had already been observed on Wednesday night about Skrydstru Air base and Aalborg airport, the fourth largest city in the country, which also has a military component, forcing the airport to suspend flights for one hour.
“We cannot accept that foreign drones create uncertainty”
On Monday, the emergence of drones had also led Copenhagen airport to end air traffic for about four hours, causing delays to approximately 20,000 passengers.
Drops over Danish airspace since September 22 have led to the closing of several airports, with Denmark suggesting a possible Russian involvement – Moscow has denied any responsibility.
Denmark, which chairs this second semester to the European Union Council, hosts an informal European council on Wednesday in Copenhagen, and the presence of the Portuguese Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro.
The next day, a summit of the European political community is also held in the Danish capital, also with the participation of the Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro.
“We cannot accept that foreign drones create uncertainty and agitation in society, as we have recently experienced,” said Danish Minister in a statement.
Danish authorities consider this measure “eliminates the risk of hostile drones being confused with legal drones and vice versa.”
“We are currently in a difficult security situation and we have to guarantee the best working conditions possible for the Armed Forces and the police, who are responsible for safety during the EU summit,” said Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen.
A violation of the ban may lead to fines or prison up to two years.
Denmark has asked the German Armed Forces for help to ensure the safety of the informal meeting, during which they will displace a contingent from their anti-genre forces to Copenhagen.
