Dutch troops open fire on drones over air base storing US nukes

Drones have been shot down over an air base in the Netherlands used to store nuclear weapons. The country’s Defence Minister, Ruben Brekelmans, said the unmanned aircraft were spotted over Volkel Air Base and weapons were deployed to shoot them down.

He said the drones left the area and were yet to be found as a further investigation is underway. Mr Brekelmans said: “Drones are not allowed at military locations. Where necessary, we take action.” Military police in the Netherlands have said an investigation has been launched.

The Dutch Defence Ministry said the drones were detected 7pm and 9pm (6pm and 8pm BST) on Friday. It said Air Force staff used weapons from the ground to take the drones down, adding they left and were not retrieved.

Volkel Air Base houses up to 20 nuclear bombs, according to the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. It is located near the village of Volkel in North Brabant, near the border with Germany, and is also reportedly home to two F-35 squadrons.

The reported case is the latest in a series of drone sightings across Europe, including at military bases, airports, power plants and defence factories.

While those responsible have not been identified, Russia has been accused of being behind the incursions and waging a “hybrid” war against allies of Ukraine.

Drones appeared over a naval base in Sweden in September and more than 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace amid a strike on neighbouring Ukraine in the same month. It led NATO to scramble fighter jets.

Western intelligence officials claim Russia uses proxies to launch drones in a bid to cause chaos in Europe. Russia has denied such allegations.

News of the drone sighting over Volkel Air Base comes in the same week it emerged a Russian spy ship had directed lasers at UK pilots.

The Yantar Russian research vessel was being monitored by Royal Navy frigate HMS Somerset and RAF P-8s as it operated on the edge of British waters.

Armed Forces minister Al Carns told MPs on Thursday the pilots were medically assessed after the incident, and there were no injuries.

Russia said the oceanographic research vessel was in international waters and the British accusations “cause only a smile”.