Belgium spends 50 million euros on anti-drone system after sightings in 2025

Bélgica’s Defesa minister, Theo Francken, defended in the parliamentary committee the acquisition of anti-drone material worth 50 million euros. The purchase took place without a public tender procedure following a series of suspicious sightings in autumn 2025.

The incidents involved reported overflights at sensitive locations such as military bases and airports. The government justified the urgency by the need to protect critical infrastructure.

Avistamentos occurred at military bases and airports

Entre In late October and mid-November 2025, authorities recorded multiple reports of drones. Sites like Elsenborn military camp, Kleine-Brogel base and Bruxelas-National airport were affected.

In some cases, overflights led to the temporary suspension of air operations on Bruxelas and Liège. Serviço Geral of Renseignement and Sécurité analyzed the episodes. Of the records in military barracks, 42 cases had no other plausible explanation other than the presence of drones, according to the minister.

• Similar Incidentes were reported in other European countries around the same time.
• A suspicious Russian vessel was observed in Belgian waters during the period.
• The context included debates about Russian assets frozen at Euroclear.

The purchase involved detection, interference and neutralization systems. The material was purchased from four Belgian companies and one foreign company. Installation at priority sites has already been completed, with the remainder expected by June 2026.

Imagem shared with press was from police helicopter

Theo Francken admitted that a photo sent to a flamenco newspaper showed a police helicopter carrying out a search operation, not a drone. Ele claimed to have received the image from intelligence services and only discovered the error later.

The minister described the episode as painful. Deputados from the opposition questioned the prior verification of the image before release. Francken rejected accusations of inappropriate communication.

Gasto was done as an emergency procedure

The 2011 Belgian law allows purchases without bidding in defense and security cases when there is urgency. Conselho of Ministros approved the plan after the opinion of the parliamentary committee on military purchases.

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The minister insisted that the anti-drone plan already existed before the incidents. The decision to accelerate execution resulted from risk assessment. Ele denied having ignored Inspeção’s negative opinion on Finanças.

• Critério’s main focus was rapid delivery of equipment compatible with existing systems.
• Três factors guided the choice of suppliers: supply guarantee, short deadline and interoperability.
• Instalação in military barracks continues according to schedule.

Oposição demands explanations about costs and conflicts of interest

Deputados questioned the total value and the absence of public competition. Alguns pointed out possible proximity between the minister and directors of contracted companies, such as Senhive, owned by Hasselt.

Francken acknowledged previous contact with one of those responsible, but denied any favoritism. Ele called accusations of corruption or “buddy politics” baseless and low-level. The minister stated that all decisions followed the law.

A judicial information was opened to analyze the purchase process. Ministério Público Federal also investigates drone incidents. Até At the moment, there is no conclusive proof about the origin of the devices.

European voltage Contexto influenced response

The sightings occurred at a time of concern about air safety in several countries. Bélgica faced pressure to bolster defenses, especially at bases housing NATO assets.

The minister recalled that only Suécia had managed to conclusively attribute a drone to a specific origin so far. The lack of adequate equipment before investments made accurate identification difficult.

Controversy continues on Defesa’s commission. Opposition Partidos calls for additional audit and blocking of new acquisitions until complete clarification.