- Category
- Latest news
Unidentified Drones Trigger Investigation at Mourmelon-le-Grand, France’s Key Military Hub
- Authors
![Photo of Maryna Kulakova]( "Photo of Maryna Kulakova")
On the night of September 22, unidentified drones were spotted flying over the Mourmelon-le-Grand military base in the Marne department of northeastern France. The base covers more than 10,000 hectares, according to reports from French outlets RFI and France 3, citing AFP.
On September 25, the information was confirmed by the departmental military delegation in Marne, which informed AFP of the incident. Officials clarified that the devices were small and “not military-operated drones.” The incident was described as “exceptional,” with authorities stressing there was no evidence to suggest foreign state involvement.
In line with protocol for drone flights, security was reinforced at Mourmelon-le-Grand, and a report was filed with the local gendarmerie. France’s Ministry of Defense stressed that there is currently no evidence of foreign involvement in the launch of the drones.
Mourmelon-le-Grand has previously hosted Ukrainian soldiers for training under the “Champagne” task force , and this year it is also home to the Tactical Drone Training Center.
An investigation is ongoing, and heightened security measures have been introduced at the base following the incident.
The same week, drones were also reported in Denmark. On the night of September 25, drone sightings led to the suspension of operations at Aalborg Airport, the country’s fourth-largest city. Several flights were diverted to other destinations, and drones were believed to have been detected in additional locations.
It was the second drone-related disruption in Denmark that week. On the evening of September 22, activity at Copenhagen Airport was paralyzed, while in neighboring Norway, authorities raised the alarm after drones were spotted over the Akershus military fortress in Oslo.
Earlier, two Hungarian Gripen fighter jets were scrambled on September 25 from Šiauliai Air Base in Lithuania as part of NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission, NATO Air Command reported on September 25.
