Denmark has ordered the national suspension of civil drone flights This week, following a string of detections near sensitive facilities and coinciding with the arrival of European leaders in Copenhagen. The decision seeks to reduce operational tension in a context of more demanding security.
The restriction, in force Monday to Friday, aims to facilitate the police work and the armed forces and avoid confusion between authorized flights and potentially hostile devicesAuthorities point out that this is a temporary measure and proportionate to the risk.
What has been decreed and for how long
El Ministry of Transport, headed by Thomas Danielsen, has closed the Danish airspace to civil drones throughout the country during the summit week. The order is based on the powers provided for in the Aviation Law and applies without distinction between recreational and professional models or weights.
Failure to comply may be penalized with fines or prison sentences of up to two years, the Government has specified. This is intended to prevent unauthorized devices from hindering security deployments or being mistaken for aircraft with malicious intent.
The ban does not apply to state and emergency operations: those that are excluded are: military, police and medical flights, as well as essential civil protection actions. Authorities recommend that operators keep their equipment on the ground and follow published aeronautical warnings.
The incidents that triggered the decision
In recent days, the Danish Armed Forces confirmed new recurring sightings Drone activity was reported in the vicinity of several barracks, with resources deployed to monitor them. The Central and West Jutland Police also recorded activity near the airbase in Karup.
The episodes spread to several airports, including the Copenhagen's main hub, with temporary closures and diversions affecting thousands of passengers. Incidents were also reported in Aalborg, Esbjerg and Sønderborg, in addition to the airport base. Skrydstrup, which raised the alert level.
The Executive has described this pattern as part of a possible hybrid warfare strategy, although there is no official attribution yet. External hypotheses have been mentioned, while the parties referred to have denied involvementIn any case, the stated objective is to reduce risks during the European summit.
Reinforcement and international context
In support of Denmark, Germany, has sent the air defense frigate to Copenhagen FGS Hamburg y anti-drone equipment to enhance event security. These C-UAS systems combine technologies radar, optics and acoustics to detect and counter unmanned aircraft.
La NATO has intensified its surveillance in the Baltic Sea, with more intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms, and additional naval presence within the Baltic Sentry and Eastern Sentry missions, according to the allied spokesman Martin O'DonnellThe reinforcement responds to recent regional incidents and the need to protect critical infrastructure.
Furthermore, Sweden has committed to providing capacity antidrone complementary. In parallel, Europe remains on alert following reports of drone incursions in countries such as Poland and Romania, a backdrop that adds pressure to Danish security measures.
With the temporary ban In force until Friday, authorities intend to ensure a controlled environment while the investigation into the sightings and the summit is underway. Citizens are asked to report any suspicious activity and avoid flying drones, even if they have regular authorization.
