UK military personnel and equipment are being sent to Belgium to help it strengthen its defenses following drone intrusions into its airspace, suspected to have been carried out by Russia.
The new head of the British army, Richard Knighton, said his Belgian counterpart requested help earlier this week and that equipment and personnel were on their way.
Belgium’s main airport, Zaventem, was forced to temporarily close on Thursday evening after drones were spotted nearby.
They were also seen in other places, including a military base.
“The Secretary of Defense and I agreed to send our people and equipment to Belgium to help them,” he said.
Richard did not confirm whether the drones were from Russia, but added that it was “credible” that they had been ordered from Moscow.
Alongside NATO allies, he added that the UK would assist Belgium “by providing equipment and capabilities”, which he said were already being deployed.
This comes after Richard warned of an “increasingly safe world”.
Citing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, he said: “This conflict reminds us that peace is never guaranteed. The United Kingdom must defend itself, and sometimes at great cost.” /Telegraph/