Unexpected details are emerging about the drones that appeared in the skies over many European countries last autumn. It turns out they may have been invented by the military to squeeze money out of the budget. 🚁
Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken has come under fire after an investigation by the program Pano found that reports of Russian drones over Belgium in late 2025 were allegedly his own fabrication. He personally handed journalists footage of a “huge drone” — which turned out to be a police helicopter. The video was published by reporters, then later deleted.
Francken fueled the panic and then pushed through an accelerated €50 million purchase of counter-drone systems without a tender. The result, according to the investigation, was overpayment and a lack of transparency in how contracts were awarded. 💶
The investigation found that many of the alleged “drones” were in fact ordinary aircraft, helicopters, or other sources of light, while geopolitical tensions helped turn routine sightings into supposed threats.
Parliament has demanded explanations, as well as a review of the legality and effectiveness of the spending. Francken admitted that he had passed the video to journalists, but denied any wrongdoing in the procurement process.
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