Media: Dutch troops in Poland disrupted by unidentified drones during NATO drill

Dutch soldiers taking part in a military exercise in Poland have encountered unidentified drones and disruptions to their communications, the Defence Ministry confirmed to public broadcaster NOS following a report in AD.

The incidents occurred during Falcon Autumn, a large-scale NATO air mobility exercise involving troops from the Netherlands, Poland and the United States.

According to Brigadier General Frank Grandia, the Dutch Air Mobile Brigade was setting up camp at an airfield when several small drones unexpectedly appeared overhead.

The soldiers did not initially have anti-drone systems with them, but these were dispatched from the Netherlands soon after the sightings. “There was no direct threat,” Grandia said. “We’re quite far from the Russian border. We learned from it immediately and adapted our procedures.”

It remains unclear who was behind the drone activity or the communication interference. “We know there are actors who show extraordinary interest in what we do and monitor our exercises,” Grandia added. Although adjustments were made, the exercise continued as planned, and the drones eventually flew away.

Rising drone activity in Polish airspace

Poland has reported several unauthorised drone incursions in recent weeks, with its military alleging that the devices originated from Russia—an accusation the Kremlin has repeatedly denied or refused to comment on.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s government has ordered the military to shoot down several of these drones, at times deploying Dutch F-35 fighter jets stationed in Poland to assist. Polish jets have also been scrambled pre-emptively amid fears of drone strikes linked to Russia’s war against neighbouring Ukraine.

Suspicious drone activity has also been detected in Denmark, Norway and Germany. In Denmark and Norway, several airports were temporarily closed, while in Germany, drones reportedly flew over government buildings, including the Bundestag.

Estonia, meanwhile, reported airspace violations by three Russian fighter jets, though Moscow denied crossing any borders.

The growing number of incidents has highlighted vulnerabilities in NATO’s air defences. In response, the outgoing Dutch government recently announced plans to establish a drone testing zone over the North Sea to strengthen counter-drone capabilities.

The Kremlin has dismissed Western claims of airspace violations. “We keep hearing exaggerated, hysterical stories about our pilots allegedly breaking rules or crossing borders,” a Kremlin spokesperson said in late September. “These allegations are baseless.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev