Belgium suspects ‘spy operation’ in drone flight near nuclear air base

MILAN — Authorities have recorded 14 unidentified drone sightings across Europe in the last two months, the latest hovering above a Belgium tactical fighter aircraft base that also reportedly houses U.S. tactical nuclear weapons.

Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken said Belgium was targeted on two consecutive nights from Nov. 1-3 by drones that flew in different stages near the Kleine Brogel installation.

The first phase included “small drones to test the radio frequencies” of the country’s security agencies, and the subsequent one consisted of “big drones to destabilize the area and people,” Francken said in an interview with Belgian public broadcaster RTBF.

“It resembles a spy operation – by whom, I don’t know. I have a few ideas, but I am going to be careful [about speculation],”