Denmark bans civilian drones amid rising security threats

Denmark has implemented a temporary ban on civilian drone flights as of Monday, September 29, 2025, in light of increased drone activity that raised safety concerns. The ban coincides with Denmark's preparations to host high-profile European Union meetings focused on defense strategies and the ongoing war in Ukraine. In recent weeks, several incidents of unidentified drones have been reported over civilian airports and military bases, prompting a temporary shut down of operations and travel disruptions affecting thousands of individuals. The Danish transport minister, Thomas Danielsen, stated that the ban would last from Monday to Friday, aiming to prevent any risk of legitimate drones being mistaken for potentially hostile ones. These unusual sightings of drones have caused significant concern among the military and police as they prepare for the arrival of top European leaders for an informal meeting of the European Council and a following European Political Community summit set to take place mid-week. The Danish Defense Minister, Troels Lund Poulsen, highlighted the need for robust security measures given the current precarious security landscape in Europe. The heightened vigilance comes amidst a recent wave of drone activity not just in Denmark but across several European nations, where incursions by Russian drones into NATO airspace have been reported. Denmark acknowledges these incidents as a part of what is being described as hybrid attacks, although officials ruled out direct Russian involvement in the recent sightings within Danish territory. The interplay of these drone incidents has put European countries on high alert, as they navigate both domestic security and broader geopolitical tensions. In response to these growing threats, NATO has begun implementing enhanced defensive measures in the Baltic Sea region. This includes the deployment of additional surveillance and defense assets to strengthen security protocols ahead of the EU summit. NATO's engagements have been reinforced by support from Germany, which has agreed to supply Denmark with counter-drone systems capable of detecting and mitigating threats posed by unauthorized aircraft using advanced radar and optical technologies. Sweden is also prepared to assist by providing anti-drone systems, although specific details remain undisclosed. The collaborative approach among European nations highlights a unified response to the contemporary security challenges, emphasizing the importance of information sharing and cooperative defense strategies against drones launching from local positions or otherwise posing a threat to national and collective security.