Denmark Temporarily Closes Airspace to Civilian Drones Amid EU Summit Security Concerns
Denmark has temporarily closed its airspace to civilian drones until Friday. This decision comes amidst heightened security concerns ahead of the EU summit, with several airports having already been affected by unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) activity. The Danish government has attributed these incidents to external actors seeking to cause fear and division.
The Danish government has taken these measures to ensure the safety of the EU summit. The US, as a country, has provided support with counter-small unmanned aircraft systems (C-sUAS) capabilities to Denmark. This assistance is part of a broader effort by several European nations, including Poland, to bolster Denmark's anti-drone defenses. The Danish Justice Minister, Peter Hummelgaard, has warned that these drone incursions are intended to sow fear and division.
The security situation in Denmark has escalated to the point where the security level for energy facilities has been raised to Orange. This is due to fears of sabotage and hybrid attacks. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has expressed his belief that Russia is likely behind these mysterious UAV flights over Scandinavian airports.
Denmark's airspace closure to civilian drones is a proactive measure to ensure the safety of the upcoming EU summit. International cooperation, particularly with the US and other European nations like Poland, has been crucial in bolstering Denmark's anti-drone capabilities. The government's decision to raise the security level for energy facilities underscores the seriousness of the threat posed by these drone incursions.