Denmark says drone incidents shutting Aalborg Airport appear 'professional, systematic,' likely hybrid attack

Denmark's Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said Thursday that drone incidents that forced the closure of Aalborg Airport and affected several other airports in the country appear to be "professional and systematic," likely part of a hybrid attack, but posed no immediate military threat.

The incidents, reported late Wednesday, involved drones at Aalborg, Esbjerg, Sonderborg, Skrydstrup Air Base, and briefly at Billund Airport, prompting temporary airspace closures.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard, Chief of Defence Michael Hyldgaard, and National Police Chief Thorkild Fogde, Poulsen described the drone activity as indicative of a professional actor, emphasizing that it does not constitute a direct military threat to Denmark, broadcaster DR reported.

"It certainly doesn't look like a coincidence. It looks systematic. There is still no direct military threat to Denmark," Poulsen said.

Justice Minister Hummelgaard said the drone activity is part of a broader pattern of concerning incidents across Europe and underscored the aim of such hybrid threats: to sow fear and discord.

On Sept. 10, a suspected Russian drone strike hit Polish territory, prompting NATO to deploy fighter jets. Romania and Estonia made similar accusations, which Russia denied.

He added that authorities are investigating the incidents thoroughly while keeping all possibilities open regarding the perpetrators.

Chief of Defense Hyldgaard and Police Chief Fogde said the Danish Defense and national police had coordinated overnight surveillance and support.

Hyldgaard explained that the decision not to shoot down the drones was based on safety considerations for the population and the military’s professional assessment.

Authorities have not yet identified the source of the drones, and no direct links to foreign states, including Russia, have been established.

"What we are experiencing now are drones that are potentially being released in our immediate area. I don't know where the drones came from, but they have not come from a long distance," Hyldgaard said.

The defense minister said the government has not yet made a final decision on activating NATO's Article 4, which allows any member state to request consultations when its security is threatened, but Denmark has already reached out to the alliance.