Denmark weighs invoking NATO’s Article 4 as unidentified drone sightings plague the country
The article reports that Denmark has experienced multiple unidentified drone incursions across its airspace over the past week, leading to disruptions at major airports including Copenhagen and Aalborg, and also military sites such as air stations and soldier barracks. Danish officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen, suspect these are coordinated hybrid attacks executed by a professional actor targeting critical infrastructure, though no party has yet been officially blamed.
In response to these drone incidents, Denmark is considering invoking Article 4 of the NATO treaty, which allows member states to call for consultations if their territorial integrity or security is threatened. This would mark the first time Denmark activates Article 4. The article notes that Article 4 has been triggered only nine times sence NATO’s founding and highlights recent related incidents, such as Estonia’s invocation after Russian fighter jets crossed its airspace and ongoing airspace violations by Russia against several european countries. NATO condemns these actions as dangerous and escalatory, holding Russia responsible for recent violations.
Denmark weighs invoking NATO’s Article 4 as unidentified drone sightings plague the country
Numerous drones have reportedly breached Danish airspace this week, causing disruptions at multiple airports throughout the country
Drone sightings have been reported at major airports in the country, such as Copenhagen and Aalborg, and smaller airports Esbjerg and Sonderborg, according to reports. There were also drone sightings at the air stations and soldier barracks throughout Denmark, where there are fighter jets and military transport aircraft.
No country or person has yet been deemed responsible for the drone infractions, said Troels Lund Poulsen, Denmark’s deputy prime minister and defense minister. However, he revealed they appeared to have been coordinated attacks targeting “critical infrastructure.” He considered the incident a hybrid attack “orchestrated by a professional actor.”
“There can be no doubt that everything points to this being the work of a professional actor when we are talking about such a systematic operation in so many locations at virtually the same time,” he said at a press conference. “This is what I would define as a hybrid attack using different types of drones.”
Denmark is taking the drone sightings seriously and, in response, is considering activating NATO’s Article 4. This provision states that any NATO member country can call for consultation in the event of security concerns.
“The parties will consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the parties is threatened,” reads NATO’s Article 4. “As soon as it is invoked, the issue is discussed and can potentially lead to some form of joint decision or action on behalf of the Alliance.”
According to NATO’s records, Article 4 has been invoked nine times since the alliance’s inception in 1949.
Poulsen has not committed to invoking Article 4 yet. If he does, it will be the first time Denmark has opted to do so.
Article 4 was invoked this week by Estonia when three armed Russian MiG-31 aircraft breached Estonia’s airspace on Sept. 19. NATO aircraft were dispatched to escort the Russian jets out of Estonian airspace.
NATO issued a statement regarding Russian aggression and continued disregard for the airspace of other European countries.
“This incursion is part of a wider pattern of increasingly irresponsible Russian behaviour,” read NATO’s statement. “This is the second time in two weeks that the North Atlantic Council has met under Article 4. On 10 September, the Council held consultations in response to the large-scale violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones. Several other Allies – including Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Romania – have also recently experienced airspace violations by Russia. We express our full solidarity with all Allies whose airspace has been breached.”
“Russia bears full responsibility for these actions, which are escalatory, risk miscalculation and endanger lives,” noted NATO. “They must stop.”
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