By Farah Mokrani

Copyright euroweeklynews

European leaders will gather in Copenhagen next week under some of the tightest security Denmark has seen in years, after a string of mysterious drone sightings forced emergency measures and even flight disruptions.

The situation has grown so tense that Germany has agreed to send in its military to help safeguard the skies during the two-day EU summit.

The move was confirmed late on Saturday by Germany’s Defence Ministry, which said its armed forces would provide specialised anti-drone support at Denmark’s request. Sweden has also raised its hand, signalling it’s ready to offer military help if the situation escalates further.

Unidentified drones force air traffic chaos

The decision follows several incidents over the past week in which unidentified drones entered Danish airspace, causing multiple suspensions of flights in and out of Copenhagen and Aalborg. Authorities have yet to pin down who is behind the incursions, but investigators say the way the drones were operated suggests more than just casual hobbyists – this was the work of someone who knew what they were doing.

While officials remain cautious about drawing conclusions, the timing couldn’t be more sensitive. With EU heads of state and government about to descend on Denmark, the drones have highlighted just how vulnerable Europe’s skies have become to modern disruptions.

For Denmark, the mystery is more than a security headache – it’s a potential threat to national prestige. Hosting an EU summit is always high-stakes, but doing so under the shadow of rogue drones buzzing overhead adds a whole new layer of tension.

Europe braces for tense summit

The informal summit, scheduled for and October 1-2 in Copenhagen, will bring together Europe’s most powerful leaders to discuss urgent matters ranging from defending critical infrastructure to strengthening the EU’s collective security strategy.

Those topics have taken on extra weight after recent attacks on European energy pipelines and cables, alongside the constant backdrop of cyber threats and now aerial intrusions. One senior Danish official admitted the summit has suddenly become “a live demonstration” of the very challenges leaders were set to debate.

Security around the Danish capital is already visibly tightening. Locals have reported increased police patrols and military vehicles in recent days, and the deployment of German anti-drone units is expected to be highly visible around both the airport and summit venues.

Drones highlight Europe’s new security frontier

While drones have been used for years in conflict zones, their presence in the heart of European airspace – and so close to an international political summit – is a chilling reminder of how quickly modern threats are evolving.

Experts warn that drones can be used not only to disrupt flights but also to gather intelligence or even deliver small-scale attacks. In the case of Copenhagen, officials have stressed there’s no evidence so far of a coordinated plot. But the fact that multiple drone flights could bring air traffic to a halt has exposed a glaring weak spot in European defences.

The decision by Germany and possibly Sweden to step in underlines how regional cooperation is becoming vital. For Brussels, Paris, Berlin and Copenhagen alike, the drones are a wake-up call that defending Europe’s borders now means defending its skies from technology that is cheap, accessible and increasingly disruptive.

All eyes on Copenhagen

As European leaders arrive next week, the world will be watching not only what is said inside the summit hall, but also what happens above it.

For Denmark, success will mean hosting smooth discussions on Europe’s future while proving it can protect its capital from shadowy threats. For the EU, the summit may go down less for its final communiqué than for the extraordinary sight of foreign troops defending the skies of a member state against unidentified drones.

Either way, the stakes have rarely been higher – and Copenhagen is bracing itself for a summit unlike any other.

Stay tuned with Euro Weekly News for more news from Denmark