In late September 2025, Denmark heightened its air security measures in response to a series of concerning incidents involving unidentified unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones violating its airspace. These actions were taken to ensure the safety of a significant summit scheduled in Copenhagen.
Leading up to the European Union and European Political Community Summit on October 1, 2025, Denmark intensified its vigilance. On September 28, 2025, the Danish Ministry of Defence announced the urgent mobilization of hundreds of reservists for potential deployment across the country, a move security advisor Jacob Kaarsbo characterized as indicative of an extraordinary situation. To preempt potential threats, the Danish government implemented a temporary ban on civilian drone usage from September 29 to October 3, 2025. This measure was a direct consequence of multiple drone incidents, including flights over airports and military installations, which posed significant security risks. The Ministry of Transport of Denmark noted that this ban would also prevent confusion between enemy drones and legitimate civilian ones.
To guarantee the security of the EU and European Political Community Summit, Denmark sought international support. Germany, France, and Sweden pledged to provide troops, air defense assets, radar systems, and fighter jets to protect Copenhagen during the high-level meetings. This collaboration underscored the cross-border nature of the threat and the necessity of a collective response.
On September 30, 2025, Danish authorities took the drastic step of closing the airspace over Copenhagen Airport and the naval base in Aalborg for eight minutes. This brief closure was a direct reaction to the persistent detection of drone activity, demonstrating a heightened state of alert. These incidents highlighted the vulnerability of European airspace to unknown drone activities, a challenge also faced by other NATO members such as Norway, Estonia, Poland, Bulgaria, and Romania.
The rapid advancement of drone technology, originating from military applications and now prevalent in the civilian sector, presents evolving challenges, including enhanced surveillance and precision strike capabilities, alongside ethical and security concerns related to potential misuse. NATO is actively adapting its defense strategies to address these modern threats, with member states like Denmark working to bolster their air defense capabilities. International cooperation, as exemplified by the support from Germany, France, and Sweden, is deemed crucial in navigating these complex aerial security challenges.