Elsenborn (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A judicial investigation is ongoing after drones appeared over the Elsenborn military camp in early October. ADIV leads the inquiry, announced by Defence Minister Theo Francken (N-VA) in the Defence Committee on Wednesday, Oct 22. 2025.
As GVA News reported, a judicial investigation has been opened after several unidentified drones were seen above the Elsenborn military camp, in the province of Liege, Belgium, in the East Cantons during the night of October 2 to 3, 2025. The drones were spotted over a restricted military zone used by Belgian and NATO troops for training.
Defence Minister Theo Francken (N-VA) announced on Wednesday, Oct 22, 2025, in the Defence Committee that the military intelligence service ADIV has been appointed to assist in the investigation. Authorities are examining radar data, surveillance footage, and signal records to find out where the drones came from and who controlled them.
“A judicial investigation is currently underway,”
Francken told the committee.
“The ADIV has been appointed to conduct the investigation. Due to the ongoing investigation, no further details will be released.”
What is behind the drone sightings over the Elsenborn military camp?
The Ministry of Defence has initiated a new campaign to raise awareness among soldiers. Defence Minister Theo Francken (N-VA) indicated that the campaign aims to make military staff aware of the presence of unauthorised drones near more sensitive locations, and the ministry wants troops on the scene prepared to respond as quickly as possible to any drone activity.
Francken added that the Ministry can already detect and disrupt drones. In serious cases, the military can even “kinetically neutralise” them, but such actions require legal approval. A proposed defence code is expected to provide the necessary legal clarity.
The military programming law also includes investments in drone defence equipment. Belgium is also closely following the European drone defence initiative, which coordinates drone protection measures across the EU.
“There are many drone sightings, so we must act quickly and try to work efficiently so that a quick response can be provided to this threat,”
Francken added.
On the night of October 2–3, 2025, around 15 unknown drones were spotted over the Elsenborn military camp in eastern Belgium, near the German border. The initial sighting occurred around 1:45 a.m. local time, during a covered surveillance test. Reportedly, the drones later travelled into Germany, where police in Düren reported seeing them.
