The reason for the aircraft’s presence remains unclear.
Two fighter jets were scrambled from a NATO military base on Sunday after an unidentified aircraft entered Dutch airspace, authorities have confirmed.
The jets, operated by the Royal Netherlands Air Force, were launched from Volkel military base as part of a Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) – a protocol used whenever an aircraft enters airspace without proper identification.
QRAs are triggered several times a year and are standard procedure across the region.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson explained: “We alternate these activities with Belgium and cover the entire Benelux region.”
The reason for the aircraft’s presence remains unclear. Officials have suggested it could have been a drone “but not one you’d buy at MediaMarkt,” reports the Express.
Other possibilities include a passenger plane that temporarily lost contact with ground control, or another type of unmanned aerial vehicle.
This incident comes just two weeks after multiple drones were spotted over Volkel Air Base. At that time, Air Force personnel deployed weapons, but the objects flew away and were never recovered.
In recent months, drones have been increasingly observed at airports, military installations, and other critical infrastructure across several European countries, raising concerns about airspace security and prompting more frequent QRA alerts.
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