Unidentified unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) appeared on two consecutive days over a Belgian Air Force base believed to host U.S. tactical nuclear weapons. Belgium labeled it as “a clear attack aimed at the base.” Recently, as Russia has been successively showcasing its nuclear and drone forces, military tensions across Europe have been rising.

Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken said on the 2nd (local time) on X that three drones were detected the previous day over the Kleine-Brogel Air Base in the northeast of the country. He stated, “Large drones flew at high altitude, and we used anti-drone equipment, but it had no effect.” He added that helicopters and police vehicles gave chase but lost the trail after a few ㎞. Minister Francken stressed the urgent need to introduce additional response systems to detect, track, and neutralize drones.

In an interview with Belgian public broadcaster RTBF, Minister Francken raised the possibility of Russian involvement in the drone incursions. He said, “Russia is attempting such activities in almost every country in Europe,” and, “We cannot conclude this was carried out by Russia, but the motive and method are very familiar.”

After a Russian drone violated Polish airspace in September, unidentified drones have also been detected in succession in Romania, France, Germany, and other European countries. Some were confirmed as Russian drones, or are presumed to be the work of Russia.

Over the past few weeks, drones have also been spotted above other Belgian military facilities. In early last month near the German border at the Elsenborn base, and in late last month around the Marche-en-Famenne military facility, similar incidents were reported. However, the Kleine-Brogel base carries particular strategic weight. It hosts the largest contingent in Belgium and operates F-16 fighter jets, among other assets.

Newsweek reported that the base is one of the few sites in Europe where the U.S. B-61 tactical nuclear weapon is deployed, estimating that 10~15 such warheads are present. Some experts have raised the possibility that as many as 44 could be deployed. The base was also one of the locations for the NATO annual nuclear exercise ‘Steadfast Noon’ last month. The B-61 is an air-dropped gravity bomb that can be mounted on a variety of aircraft, including B-52·B-2 bombers and F-16·F-35 fighters. Its yield ranges from 10~350 kt (kilotons).

NATO currently deploys about 150~200 B-61 series tactical nuclear weapons in five member states, including Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, and Turkiye.

Russia has been openly flaunting its nuclear forces in recent days. On the 1st, the Russian Defense Ministry announced the launch of the nuclear submarine Khabarovsk, which can carry the nuclear-powered underwater drone ‘Poseidon’. On the 29th of last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin directly referenced the successful test of Poseidon, claiming, “There is no weapon capable of intercepting this system.” The next day, after U.S. President Donald Trump declared an intention to resume nuclear weapons testing, Russia warned, “If anyone conducts a nuclear test, Russia will respond.”

Belgium, home to NATO and European Union headquarters, has recently traded public verbal barbs with Russia. On the 27th of last month, Minister Francken told local media, “If Russia attacks Brussels, NATO can erase Moscow from the map.” In response, Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, retorted, “If we test-fire Poseidon at Belgium, Belgium will disappear.”