During the Falcon Autumn NATO exercise in Poland, Dutch troops encountered unidentified drones and communication jamming near a military airfield, prompting a rapid response.
Drones Over Polish Military Airfield
During Falcon Autumn, participating troops from the Netherlands, Poland, and the United States were landing at a Polish military airport. While setting up camps, small unknown drones appeared nearby, and communication between units began to fail.
Unidentified Operators and Communication Jamming
A spokesperson for the Dutch Ministry of Defence told NOS that soldiers had no anti‑drone systems on hand; Dutch missiles and radar were delivered only after the incident. The Dutch Brigade General Frank Grandia assured that there was no immediate threat and that the group was far from the Russian border.
Unresolved Identities and Rapid Adjustments
It remains undetermined who controlled the drones or caused the jamming. Grandia noted that “some entities show unusually high interest in our activities.” The exercise continued despite the drones, which eventually departed. Dutch media reported earlier sightings of cars with Belarusian plates in the area.
Broader Regional Drone Incidents
Similar events have been recorded in Denmark, Norway, and Germany, where drones forced temporary airport closures and flew over strategic sites. Estonia experienced an encounter with Russian fighters, which Moscow denied. The Dutch government has announced a special North Sea test zone for drones, highlighting perceived gaps in NATO air‑defence.
