Unidentified drones spotted three times above French intelligence base, authorities say

Unidentified drones were spotted above a French military intelligence base three times late last month, French authorities reported Tuesday, casting more doubt on the security of Europe’s airspace.

The drones were spotted above France’s Creil military base Nov. 26-30, the French air and space force said in a statement. The base, just north of Paris, houses an intelligence training center, according to Col. Thomas Bardin, who took command of the base last year.

Authorities were unable to identify the origins of the three drones and did not specify if they were commercial or military drones. The French air force also did not clarify if it shot down any of the aircraft.

Last month’s incidents are the latest in a string of drone sightings over France and Europe more broadly. French prosecutors last week launched an investigation into drone sightings over the Île Longue nuclear submarine base in Brittany.

In October, French authorities spotted an unidentified drone hovering over a police station before drifting over a military convoy transporting main battle tanks. Two days later, a drone was spotted over the Eurenco ammunition and explosives plant in Bergerac, one of France’s most important defense-industrial sites.

The French drone sightings, and similar incidents in Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Norway and Ireland, have raised questions about NATO’s ability to defend its airspace. In response, some NATO members have pitched creating a “drone wall” across the alliance’s eastern flank. The project would create a high-tech, multi-layered defense structure against drone incursions.

While the origins of the drones sighted across Europe are unclear, it hasn’t stopped European leaders from blaming Russia. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the drone incursions are part of a “hybrid warfare” campaign meant to weaken the alliance and its support for Ukraine.

Moscow has denied all accusations that it is deliberately provoking Europe with drones, with Russian President Vladimir Putin arguing that the recent rhetoric about Russian drones is meant to persuade alliance members to spend more on defense.