Danish airport shut down for 2nd consecutive day due to fresh drone incursions | DW News

Key Concepts

• Drone sightings and airspace closures
• Hybrid warfare
• Counter-drone defenses (drone wall)
• AI-based electronic warfare solutions
• Critical infrastructure vulnerabilities
• NATO and EU response
• Increased defense spending
• Russian aggression and hybrid warfare tactics
• Importance of deterrence and defense

Drone Sightings and Hybrid Warfare in Denmark

Fresh drone sightings have been reported over Alborg airport in Denmark, leading to airspace closures for the second consecutive night. This forced a plane to return to Amsterdam and the cancellation of a flight from Copenhagen. Danish Prime Minister Meta Frederickson stated that Denmark has been subjected to "hybrid attacks" involving drones seen near critical infrastructure, military, and civilian sites. She emphasized that these attacks are intended to create insecurity and division and expose vulnerabilities.

• Hybrid Warfare: The Prime Minister explicitly stated that Denmark is not in a traditional war but a "hybrid war."
• Attribution: While no official attribution has been made, the head of the national police indicated that the attacks bear the "hallmarks of attacks by Russia," although they stopped short of direct accusation.
• Vulnerabilities: The head of the Danish Port Authority highlighted that 70% of the country's imports arrive by sea, and they are currently unprepared for potential threats.

International Response and the "Drone Wall"

Denmark is seeking assistance from its NATO and EU allies. An EU meeting, urgently arranged by Defense Commissioner Cabilius, will address reinforcing drone defenses. There have been long-standing requests from Baltic states and Poland for a "drone wall" – a system to counter drone attacks.

• EU Meeting: The EU is holding an urgent meeting to discuss reinforcing drone defenses in response to the incidents in Denmark.
• Drone Wall: The concept of a "drone wall" has been discussed for years, particularly by Baltic states and Poland, but implementation has been slow.

Counter-Drone Technology and Defense Strategies

Oleg Foric, CEO of Drone Shield, an AI-based electronic warfare solutions company, discussed the components of an effective anti-drone defense system.

• Two-Layer Solution: Foric emphasized a two-layer approach:
  • Border Security: Protecting borders against larger drones.
  • Facility Protection: Deploying counter-drone systems around critical facilities like military bases and airports.
• Tactics: He highlighted the possibility of attackers using vans to transport drones to the fence lines of important facilities.
• Deployment Readiness: Foric stated that the technology exists, but deployment depends on budgets and the "desire to go ahead."
• Difficulty in Attribution: He noted the inherent difficulty in identifying drone operators due to anonymity, unless a dedicated counter-drone system is in place to track the drone's origin.
• All-In War: Foric mentioned the concept of "all-in war," where adversaries test weaknesses and create havoc using various instruments, including drones.
• Specialized Equipment: He stressed the need for specialized equipment to detect and counter small drones flying close to the ground, as traditional ground-based air defense systems are not effective against them.
• Airport Vulnerabilities: Foric pointed out that, to his knowledge, no airport in the world has fully deployed a counter-drone system, making them easy targets. He referenced the Gatwick Airport incident in 2018, where the perpetrators were never found.
• Cyber Attacks: He also warned about the potential for cyber attacks launched from drones, targeting energy infrastructure.

Western Adaptation to Drone Threats

Foric believes the West can do more and faster to adapt to the drone threat. While some countries have taken individual action since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, overall progress is insufficient. Many end-users are only purchasing trial quantities of counter-drone systems, and some are doing "almost nothing."

• Testing Weaknesses: Foric stated that adversaries are testing and finding weaknesses, particularly around airports, where it is easy to shut down operations without being detected.

Denmark's Increased Defense Spending

Denmark is working with NATO to enhance the security of critical infrastructure. Despite Moscow's denial, Danish authorities suspect Russia's involvement. Copenhagen has reversed a decade of defense spending cuts, spurred by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

• Military Upgrade: Denmark is conducting military exercises with NATO troops in the Arctic and has announced a significant increase in military spending.
• Financial Investments: Denmark has committed to a 10-year plan worth nearly $20 billion and additional billions for air defense and long-range missiles.
• European Sourcing: The bulk of the new spending will go to European-sourced systems, shifting away from dependence on the US.
• Deterrence: The purpose of these investments is to build a credible deterrent to prevent Russian aggression.

Finnish Perspective on Russian Aggression

Finnish Foreign Minister Sevelon addressed Russia's actions and the broader implications for international relations.

• False Accusations: She refuted Russian Foreign Minister's claim that NATO and the EU have declared war on Russia, stating that Russia has been waging war against Ukraine since 2014.
• Hybrid Warfare: She accused Russia of waging a hybrid war against the rest of the world, including supporting military coups and spreading disinformation in Africa.
• Lack of Illusions: Sevelon stated that Finland has never had illusions about Russia and has always invested heavily in defense and deterrence.
• Military Power: She argued that Russia only understands military power and that credible deterrence is necessary to force Russia to negotiate.
• Economic Impact: She acknowledged that Russia's economy is not collapsing immediately but will face massive problems in the medium and long term due to the war.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The situation in Denmark highlights the growing threat of drone-based hybrid warfare targeting critical infrastructure. The international community, particularly the EU and NATO, is responding with discussions about enhanced drone defenses and increased security measures. Experts emphasize the need for comprehensive, multi-layered counter-drone systems and greater investment in defense capabilities. The events underscore the vulnerabilities of modern infrastructure and the evolving nature of conflict in the 21st century, requiring a proactive and coordinated approach to security.