PULSE - Europe beyond the beat

Defence

Airspace violations, how EU countries respond to threats

Airspace violations are increasing across Europe, from unauthorised drones to unknown aircraft. Italy, Spain, Austria and other countries are upgrading radar networks, interceptor fleets and anti-drone systems

by Silvia Martelli (Il Sole 24 Ore), Martin Tschiderer (Der Standard, Austria) and Enrique Andrés Pretel (El Confidencial, Spain)

27 September 2025

4' min read

In recent months, European airspace has seen a significant increase in violations, both by unidentified drones and Russian jets. On 19 September 2025, three Russian MiG-31 fighter planes violated the Estonian airspace, provoking the intervention of Italian F-35 fighter jets that took off from the Ämari base. During the raid, which lasted 12 minutes, the Russian pilots responded with a salute gesture before retreating towards Kaliningrad.

A few days earlier, on 10 September, some 23 drones violated Polish airspace, leading to at least four of them being shot down by allied forces. The incident prompted Poland to invoke Article 4 of the NATO Treaty and launch Operation Eastern Sentry to strengthen air defence.

Denmark also experienced similar incidents: on 24 September, Aalborg airport was temporarily closed due to unauthorised drones, following a similar pattern to that observed two days earlier in Copenhagen.

In response to these threats, several European countries are enhancing their surveillance and air defence capabilities. These events highlight the growing need for common strategies and advanced technologies to secure European airspace in a context of increasing hybrid threats.

Austria

In Austria, airspace surveillance is entrusted to a mix of ground radar and interceptors. The 15 Eurofighters of the Austrian Armed Forces are responsible for neutralising drones detected by the national radar system Goldhaube. The main problem concerns small objects flying at low altitude, which are difficult to identify in time, although drones detected in time can be shot down with conventional weapons.

Land defences include Oerlikon's 35 millimetre anti-aircraft guns, which are mobile on trailers, and Rheinmetall's Skyranger system, designed primarily for the protection of mobile contingents. However, these systems have limited ranges and are not designed to cover entire cities or the entire country. The strengthening of air defence will partly rely on participation in Sky Shield, a European procurement platform for long-range missiles, which could protect sensitive districts or entire capitals, but the timeframe for the arrival of the systems remains multi-year.

Spain

Surveillance of Spanish airspace is provided by the Fuerza Aérea Española through a combined network of EVA (Air Surveillance Stations) radars and squadrons of interceptors ready 24 hours a day. The fleet comprises around 140 aircraft, divided between 70 Eurofighters and 70 F-18s, with an operational readiness rate that is not yet 100 per cent. Within a few years, 25 new Eurofighters will replace older aircraft. In the event of a breach, two armed aircraft take off within 15 minutes, with reserve bases ready to intervene within an hour. The system makes it possible to quickly identify passing aircraft without a flight plan or with a switched-off transponder.

Italy

In Italy, the airspace defence is entrusted to the Aeronautica Militare and the Comando Operazioni Aeree, in coordination with ENAV, the national flight assistance agency. The radar network covers the entire national territory, with integrated stations at the Eurofighter fighter-bomber bases. Aircraft ready for take-off are located at five main bases, including Istrana, Grosseto and Trapani, with average response times of 10-15 minutes for urgent interceptions.

In recent years, Italy has introduced specific systems for countering drones, with surveillance departments and civilian and military operators trained to handle low-altitude threats. According to experts in the field, the combination of ground-based radars and interceptors offers effective protection, but the increasing spread of low-cost commercial and military drones poses new challenges, particularly for the protection of critical infrastructure and major events.

France

French surveillance relies on advanced radar and Rafale interceptors ready for take-off around the clock. The French Air Defence Command coordinates alert procedures with NATO and satellite systems. In the event of a breach, aircraft can be quickly launched to identify and, if necessary, neutralise the threat. France has also developed electronic interdiction systems to neutralise drones without physically shooting them down, reducing the risk of collateral damage.

Germany and Belgium

In Germany, the Luftwaffe monitors the national airspace and participates in the integrated NATO system. Germany has recently invested in multifunctional radar and Patriot systems for long-range air defence. Belgium also integrates ground radars with F-16 interceptors, ensuring coverage of the entire national airspace and participating in NATO shared surveillance missions.

Common challenges

Experts agree that the current European air defence network is effective but fragmented. Most systems are optimised for traditional military interception, while the proliferation of civil and military drones requires more sophisticated technologies, such as low-altitude radar, more agile interceptors and electronic warfare systems.

There is no shortage of voices in the public debate and among policy-makers proposing more drastic measures, including the preventive shooting down of suspicious drones or unidentified aircraft, but the majority of experts urge caution, favouring secure interception and electronic monitoring to avoid incidents and diplomatic crises.

In view of potential threats, particularly from Russia and unstable regions close to Europe, many countries anticipate technology upgrades in the coming years, but European harmonisation remains a complex objective, with implementation times extending until the end of the decade.

*This article is part of the European collaborative journalism project "Pulse"