"Potential espionage": Drone spotted above control tower at Gilze-Rijen air base

A drone was spotted above the control tower at Gilze-Rijen air base on Wednesday. A spokesperson for the Koninklijke Marechaussee confirmed this on Thursday after a report in the Volkskrant. Air traffic control called it “potential espionage.”

An investigation by the Koninklijke Marechaussee, a policing force that works as part of the Dutch military, yielded no results. They found nothing further. “For us, it’s one of many reports.”

Gilze-Rijen is the air force’s helicopter air base. Apache attack helicopters and the transport helicopters Chinooks and Cougars are based there.

A drone was also spotted above the air base a few weeks ago, according to the spokesperson. A civilian saw it and notified the police. The Koninklijke Marechausse were called in, but found nothing.

According to the spokesperson, these are not situations like those in Belgium. Drones have been seen frequently in the past week near Belgian military installations. The Belgian air surveillance center is being reinforced. Drones have been spotted near at least 23 airports and air bases in recent weeks.

The Belgian authorities suspect Russia is behind it. In the Nehterlands, there is no evidence that any other country is behind the drone incidents, said the Koninklijke Marechaussee. The spokesperson expects that more drone reports will come in the near future, partly because people are paying more attention to them.

The drones in the Netherlands have not led to any dangerous incidents or problems. A few weeks ago, Schiphol’s Polderbaan runway was shut down after a report of a drone sighting. It later turned out to be a weather balloon.

The Koninklijke Marechaussee receives reports of drones in all kinds of locations. This is partly because drones are not allowed to fly in many places. Often these reports concern private individuals pursuing their hobby, the spokesperson said.