Denmark Drone Incidents Expose NATO Ally’s Vulnerabilities
A wave of drone incursions over airports and military bases across western Denmark has sparked alarm about the country’s defenses, despite causing no physical harm or damage. The overnight incidents, centered in Jutland, forced airport closures and raised urgent questions about Denmark’s readiness to counter hybrid warfare threats.
Multiple Drone Sightings Across Jutland
Authorities confirmed drones were spotted at several critical locations, including Aalborg and Billund airports, both of which were briefly closed. Aalborg also serves as a military base, while Skrydstrup airbase — home to Denmark’s advanced fleet of F-35 and F-16 fighter jets — also reported drone activity. Additional sightings occurred over Esbjerg, Sønderborg, and the Jutland Dragoon Regiment in Holstebro.
Beyond Jutland, Danish police are now investigating drone movements near vital oil and gas platforms in the North Sea and around the key port of Korsør. The breadth of the incursions has triggered concerns that the attacks were not random but coordinated, targeting both civilian and military infrastructure.
NATO Ally Under Pressure
Denmark, a founding member of NATO, is grappling with the embarrassment of having its vulnerabilities laid bare. In an age of hybrid warfare, where drones and cyber tactics often complement traditional military strategies, the disruption has exposed gaps in Danish defense systems.
Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen described the attacks as “systematic,” emphasizing that the number of locations involved suggests deliberate coordination. “This is what I would define as a hybrid attack,” he said during a press briefing, though he stopped short of attributing blame without concrete evidence.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen echoed his concerns, warning earlier this month that Russia remains “a threat to Europe and Denmark for years to come.” While the government has not directly accused Moscow, officials admit Russian involvement cannot be ruled out. Russia’s embassy in Copenhagen has denied any role, calling the incidents a “staged provocation.”
To Shoot Down or Not?
One of the most pressing debates in Denmark is whether drones should be shot down. Military and police leaders decided against it, citing risks to public safety if debris or batteries were to crash into populated areas. Defence chief Michael Hyldgaard explained: “When you shoot something down in the air, something also comes down again.”
Experts agree this was the right call, at least for drones flying over urban centers and airports. Kjeld Jensen of the University of Southern Denmark noted that attempting to destroy drones in flight could have sparked fires or accidents on the ground. Still, critics argue that leaving drones unchallenged highlights Denmark’s lack of effective countermeasures.
NATO Context: Hybrid Warfare on the Eastern Flank
Denmark is not the only NATO state under pressure. In recent weeks, Poland, Estonia, Romania, Bulgaria, and Norway have also faced drone and airspace violations. Estonia and Poland even invoked NATO’s Article 4 earlier this month after Russian aircraft and drones crossed their borders.
Article 4 allows NATO members to consult when their territorial integrity or security is threatened. Denmark is now weighing whether to take the same step.
Meanwhile, Poland has adopted a tougher stance. After a string of Russian drone incursions, Warsaw’s foreign minister warned Moscow at the UN: “If another missile or plane crosses our territory without permission and is shot down, do not come here to complain. You have been warned.”
Denmark’s Weak Spots
For now, Denmark lacks the specialized tools needed to effectively neutralize drones. The government has announced plans for an “integrated layered air defense” system and investments in long-range precision weapons. But such projects will take years to deploy.
As Jensen explains, “It’s far easier to build a drone that can fly than to build the technology needed to stop it.”
Friday’s NATO meeting in which Denmark, Ukraine, and several allies will discuss the European Union’s proposed “drone wall” may offer part of the solution. The idea, championed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, envisions an early detection system along the EU’s eastern borders. However, it may do little against locally launched drones like those seen in Jutland.
A Wake-Up Call for Denmark
While the drones caused no injuries or direct damage, they achieved a symbolic victory. Airports were briefly closed, military bases appeared exposed, and senior ministers were forced to reassure the public with an emergency press conference.
For many Danes, the incidents mark a turning point. Police have raised their crisis level, and the defence minister warned of a “new reality” in which drone threats are no longer hypothetical.
Whether or not Russia was behind the incursions, the episode underscores how vulnerable even advanced NATO allies remain to low-cost, disruptive tactics. In the evolving landscape of hybrid warfare, Denmark now faces the urgent challenge of strengthening its defenses before a future attack carries more than symbolic weight.