Drone Sightings Force Eindhoven Airport Shutdown After Gunfire At Base Likely Hosting US Nukes

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief

AMSTERDAM/EINDHOVEN (Worthy News) – Air traffic at Eindhoven airport in southern Netherlands was suspended for several hours late Saturday, shortly after the Ministry of Defense acknowledged that the Dutch military shot at similar flying objects over Volkel Air Base in the southeast of the country, where the United States is widely believed to store nuclear weapons.

Ruben Brekelmans, the Dutch defense minister, stated on social media that “Defense has taken measures” following the drone sightings over Eindhoven, but added that “Out of security considerations, no further information can be shared.”

Traffic resumed around 11 p.m., two hours after the initial report of the disruption. Eindhoven serves both as a civilian and as a military airport, and “all types of air traffic” were suspended, Brekelmans said.

Asked if it was clear where the drones had come from, the defense ministry had no additional comment. However, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called the incursions “hybrid warfare” likely carried out by Russia, though Moscow has denied deliberately violating European NATO countries’ airspace.

The Saturday night incident came shortly after the Dutch Defense Ministry said drones were attacked on Friday over Volkel Air Base.

Security personnel at the base spotted up to 10 drones between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Friday local time, prompting Royal Netherlands Air Force units to deploy ground-based weapons in an attempt to bring them down, according to the Ministry of Defense.

Several sources, including a former Dutch prime minister, have said the U.S. is storing up to 22

B61 nuclear bombs at the base under NATO military alliance nuclear-sharing arrangements.

The Dutch government has not confirmed that information.

(With additional reporting by Worthy News’ Johan Th. Bos in the Netherlands.)

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