PARIS \u2014 France sent a military anti-drone unit to Denmark, and Sweden is planning to do the same, as the allies seek to help secure an informal European Union summit in Copenhagen this week against aerial threats, following recent flights of unidentified drones in Danish airspace.<\/p>\n
The French military has deployed a team of 35 personnel with a Fennec light helicopter and \u201cactive anti-drone capabilities,\u201d the country\u2019s Armed Forces Ministry said in a statement Monday. Meanwhile, Sweden will send a military unit with anti-drone capabilities following a Danish request, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said in a briefing in Stockholm.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe main purpose is to protect the Copenhagen area from unwelcome drone visits, drone attacks for a period of time,\u201d Kristersson said, speaking in Swedish.<\/p>\n
Denmark in recent days observed unexplained drone activity at several of its airports as well as military locations. So far it\u2019s unclear who is behind the drone activity, though NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said last week Russian involvement can\u2019t be ruled out.<\/p>\n
The French detachment was sent to Denmark following a decision by President Emmanuel Macron, according to the French Armed Forces Ministry. The detachment is already operational and will act in full cooperation with Danish authorities, it said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis detachment complements the Danish and European resources deployed for this occasion, and illustrates European solidarity in defense against this serious threat,\u201d the ministry said.<\/p>\n
Germany also sent anti-drone equipment to Denmark to enhance security during the EU summit, the Danish Ministry of Defence said on Sunday. Meanwhile, the German air-defense frigate Hamburg made a port call<\/a> in Copenhagen and will support enhanced vigilance as part of operation Baltic Sentry, according to NATO Maritime Command.<\/p>\n Sweden is also sending radar capabilities to be able to detect threats over a wider area, according to Kristersson. He said the Swedish armed forces worked over the weekend to ensure the necessary equipment is now on its way to Copenhagen.<\/p>\n With 44 European prime ministers due to arrive in Copenhagen, Denmark took the risk of the summit being affected or cancelled \u201cvery seriously,\u201d according to Kristersson.<\/p>\n Denmark currently lacks any ground-based missile defense after decommissioning its Hawk missile units 20 years ago. The country has been scrambling in past months to secure air defense systems from three different suppliers to build an initial capacity as soon as possible.<\/p>\n Recent violations of European airspace and other incidents show the link between Russia\u2019s war against Ukraine and broader European security, \u201cand for this reason we must continue to counter Russia,\u201d Sweden\u2019s Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said in the briefing with Kristersson.<\/p>\n Russia\u2019s actions right now point to increased risk-taking, according to the Swedish PM. He said the country does not have intelligence or evidence that links the Danish drone flights to Russia, \u201cbut we are not naive.\u201d<\/p>\n