(MENAFN) Belgium’s specialized anti-drone police squad was notably absent during recent aerial disruptions, despite being fully operational, according to reports. Instead of deploying its own unit, Brussels requested assistance from fellow NATO members to address what it described as a “hybrid threat.”

The unit, known as C-UAS, was established four years ago and comprises 30 certified officers equipped with two drone-detection antennas, four jammers, and three net launchers. Its official mandate is to “provide technological support in combating drones that pose a serious threat to public safety,” according to police sources.

However, the team was not called upon when an unidentified drone disrupted operations at Zaventem Airport near Brussels for several hours last Tuesday, nor during sightings near Liege Airport over the weekend.

On Sunday, Defense Minister Theo Francken confirmed that the UK had dispatched a unit to Belgium to counter drone threats, and that aid was also requested from Germany and France.

A member of Belgium’s anti-drone unit said the lack of deployment reflected internal unawareness: “We’re still guessing why we weren’t called in. We didn’t even try. I think many people in the police force don’t even know we exist.”

The squad’s equipment has limitations: its antennas cannot detect newer 5G-enabled drones, and officers often rely on binoculars to track potential threats. Additionally, the 30 members have other duties, preventing round-the-clock monitoring of even key locations. Belgian police declined to comment on their “resources or specific actions.”

Drone activity near airports and military sites has been frequent, with more than 31,000 flights reported near such areas in 2024—about 90% of them unauthorized. Western officials have accused Russia of breaching EU airspace with aircraft and drones as part of a so-called “hybrid war,” allegations that the Kremlin has denied.

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