UK military personnel and equipment are being sent to Belgium to help it bolster its defences after drone incursions on its airspace, suspected of being carried out by Russia.
The new head of the UK military, Sir Richard Knighton, told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that his Belgian counterpart asked for assistance earlier this week and that kit and personnel were on the way.
Belgium's main airport Zavantem was forced to close temporarily on Thursday night after drones were spotted nearby. They were also spotted in other locations, including a military base.
Sir Richard said it was not known if the incursions were by Russia, but added it was plausible they had been ordered by Moscow.
He added that the decision to aid Belgium had been made alongside Defence Secretary John Healey. Alongside NATO allies, he noted that the UK would help Belgium by providing its capabilities, and deployments have already begun.
About 3,000 Brussels Airlines passengers were affected by the disruption, and the carrier said it faced considerable costs from cancelling or diverting dozens of flights.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and the Belgian security services have stated their suspicions of Russia's involvement, but Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken admitted there is currently no solid evidence.
He remarked that initially, drones flying over military bases were treated as a localized problem but emphasized that it has escalated into a serious threat affecting critical civilian infrastructure across multiple European countries.
Sir Richard stated that Russia remains the most pressing threat right now to Europe, highlighting the barbaric nature of Russia's actions in Ukraine and the necessity for the UK to bolster its defenses against potential hybrid warfare tactics.
Recent months have seen drone sightings that caused considerable flight disruptions across Europe, including in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. While officials suspect Russian hybrid warfare, the Kremlin has denied any involvement.
Pistorius has even linked the recent drone sightings to EU discussions about using frozen Russian assets for a substantial loan to Ukraine.
Although public proof of Russian involvement is lacking, recent serious airspace incursions in Eastern Europe involving fighter jets and larger drones further fuel suspicions.
In response to the ongoing situation, the UK has recently deployed RAF Typhoon jets for defense missions over Poland as part of NATO's efforts to secure its eastern flank against potential threats.
