Denmark has implemented a sweeping ban on all civilian drone operations, a proactive measure taken just before a significant European Union defense summit scheduled to take place in Copenhagen this week. This decision comes in the wake of recent, unsettling drone sightings near airports, which have sharply elevated security anxieties across the continent.
Over the past week, Denmark joined several other European nations in reporting unidentified drone activity, leading to immediate airport closures and widespread travel chaos. While officials have pointed to unnamed foreign actors as being responsible for these incidents, the events have rattled Europe, which is already on high alert due to recent Russian aircraft incursions into the airspace of Poland, Estonia, and Romania.
Thomas Danielson, Denmark’s transport minister, explicitly cited these drone sightings when announcing the airspace closure to civilian drones. The ban will be in effect from Monday through Friday, ensuring an “extra focus on safety” during the high-stakes summit.
European leaders are set to convene in Copenhagen on Wednesday and Thursday. This summit was specifically organized following the aforementioned Russian airspace incursions, with key discussions planned around strengthening military readiness and bolstering support for Ukraine.
In a statement released on Sunday, Mr. Danielsen explained that prohibiting civilian drone flights would effectively simplify security efforts for the police by eliminating any potential confusion between legitimate and potentially hostile drones.
Peter Hummelgaard, the Danish justice minister, reinforced this, stating in the same announcement that “The purpose of the ban on civilian drone flights is, among other things, to simplify security work for the police.” He further noted that individuals violating this ban could face substantial fines or even up to two years in prison.
Other European countries have quickly stepped forward to offer assistance in securing the upcoming summit.
On Monday, the French defense ministry confirmed it would temporarily deploy troops equipped with “active anti-drone capabilities” to Denmark. This move, they stated, demonstrates “European solidarity in defense against a serious threat.”
Furthermore, Sweden’s Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, publicly announced that Sweden had provided Denmark with powerful radar systems and assigned its military the task of assisting with anti-drone capabilities specifically for the summit.
To date, Denmark has refrained from publicly identifying the entity it believes is responsible for these drone incidents. However, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described the activity as the “most serious attack so far” on Denmark’s critical infrastructure.
Aurelien Breeden contributed reporting from Paris.