Brussels – The Belgian National Security Council (NSC) moved quickly on Thursday, 6 November 2025, to plug a glaring gap in the country’s air-space defences. After two nights of mystery drone sightings that temporarily closed five airports and flew over at least three military bases, the NSC approved the creation of a permanent National Air-space Security Centre (NASC) at Beauvechain.
Defence Minister Theo Francken told reporters that the NASC will go live by 1 January 2026 and serve as a single command-and-control hub linking the air force’s radar network with the federal police, customs, civil aviation regulator, and intelligence services. The new body will share real-time data across agencies and introduce common procedures for detection, identification and neutralisation of rogue drones. A €50 million investment package—jammers, directional antennas and ‘drone guns’—will be presented to Friday’s Council of Ministers meeting.
![Belgium creates National Airspace Security Centre after wave of drone incursions]()
Francken said Belgium would also invite NATO and neighbouring countries to integrate their sensor feeds, citing the trans-border nature of unmanned aircraft. Interior Minister Bernard Quintin confirmed that a legal framework is being drafted to allow police to disable drones that endanger critical sites such as Brussels Airport, the Port of Antwerp or nuclear facilities. While officials stopped short of attributing blame, both ministers hinted at possible Russian probing of NATO infrastructure, noting that similar incidents have hit Denmark, Germany and Sweden in recent months.
For companies moving staff and goods through Belgium, the centre promises faster, clearer communication when air-space is shut and a common contact point for incident updates. However, employers should expect tighter pre-flight security checks and possible requests to share advance passenger and cargo manifests while the new systems bed in. Global mobility managers are advised to check their travel-risk policies and keep employees on flexible tickets until the NASC is fully operational.
Defence Minister Theo Francken told reporters that the NASC will go live by 1 January 2026 and serve as a single command-and-control hub linking the air force’s radar network with the federal police, customs, civil aviation regulator, and intelligence services. The new body will share real-time data across agencies and introduce common procedures for detection, identification and neutralisation of rogue drones. A €50 million investment package—jammers, directional antennas and ‘drone guns’—will be presented to Friday’s Council of Ministers meeting.
Francken said Belgium would also invite NATO and neighbouring countries to integrate their sensor feeds, citing the trans-border nature of unmanned aircraft. Interior Minister Bernard Quintin confirmed that a legal framework is being drafted to allow police to disable drones that endanger critical sites such as Brussels Airport, the Port of Antwerp or nuclear facilities. While officials stopped short of attributing blame, both ministers hinted at possible Russian probing of NATO infrastructure, noting that similar incidents have hit Denmark, Germany and Sweden in recent months.
For companies moving staff and goods through Belgium, the centre promises faster, clearer communication when air-space is shut and a common contact point for incident updates. However, employers should expect tighter pre-flight security checks and possible requests to share advance passenger and cargo manifests while the new systems bed in. Global mobility managers are advised to check their travel-risk policies and keep employees on flexible tickets until the NASC is fully operational.
