Denmark Deploys Military Assets in Copenhagen Against Drone Incursions

Denmark and NATO allies deployed a German frigate, advanced radars and troops to Copenhagen on Monday to counter unidentified drone incursions ahead of European Union summits.

The assets arrived as Denmark reported more than 500 drone sightings in the Nordic region since late September, including over military bases and airports. The deployments aimed to protect EU officials attending summits on Wednesday and Thursday, according to the Danish Defense Ministry.

Danish authorities banned all civilian drone flights nationwide from Monday to Friday to distinguish unauthorized drones from legal ones, the Transportation Ministry said. Sightings prompted closures at Copenhagen, Aalborg and Billund airports last week, with Oslo airport in Norway also affected.

The Danish Defense Ministry described the incidents as a "hybrid attack" by a "professional actor" launched locally. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Russian involvement could not be ruled out, adding, "There is one main country that poses a threat to Europe’s security, and it is Russia." Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said the flights appeared coordinated but stopped short of naming a perpetrator.

NATO announced enhanced vigilance in the Baltic Sea region under its Baltic Sentry operation, including intelligence platforms and air-defense frigates. A NATO spokesperson said, "Following recent drone incidents in Denmark, NATO is conducting even more enhanced vigilance with new multi-domain assets in the Baltic Sea region."

Germany sent the air-defense frigate FSG Hamburg, which docked in Copenhagen over the weekend, along with 40 soldiers equipped with counter-unmanned aircraft systems using radar, optical and acoustic technologies, a German government official said. France deployed 35 personnel, a Fennec helicopter and counter-drone assets, the French Defense Ministry stated, calling the drones a "serious threat." Sweden provided a specialized anti-drone unit and radar systems to embed with Danish forces, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said.

The Russian embassy in Copenhagen denied involvement, calling the accusations "absurd speculations" of "staged provocations."

Danish officials said they planned to acquire new detection and neutralization capabilities for drones. NATO leaders remained in contact with Danish counterparts, but no further consultations under Article 4 were triggered. The summits proceed as scheduled.