France Probes Mysterious Drone Incursions Over Key Intelligence Base Amid Europe-Wide Airspace Threats
A series of unexplained drone sightings over a sensitive French intelligence base adds new urgency to Europe’s growing concerns about covert incursions into restricted airspace. Image courtesy: AI generated picture via DALL-E
France has launched a fresh investigation after suspected drones were detected over a sensitive military intelligence base on three separate nights last month, marking the latest in a growing series of unexplained incursions across Europe’s restricted airspace.
The French Air and Space Force confirmed on Tuesday (December 9, 2025) that the sightings occurred over the Creil military base in northern France, a site that houses a key intelligence training centre.
How and when did the drone sightings happen?
According to officials, the first drone sighting took place on November 26, prompting an immediate response unit to investigate.
While authorities did not specify whether the drones were neutralised or simply disrupted, they noted that a specialised helicopter dispatched to the site arrived only after the aircraft had vanished.
The Air and Space Force added that additional suspected sightings on November 28 and November 30 could not be verified due to difficult weather conditions, leaving investigators unsure whether they were drones or commercial aircraft.
How have these drone sightings heightened concerns?
The French probe follows a separate investigation launched last week into suspected drone activity over a nuclear submarine base on the country’s Atlantic coast. The incidents have heightened concerns across Europe, where unknown-origin drones have increasingly breached sensitive airspace in recent months.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has previously labelled such incursions as potential acts of “hybrid warfare”, though Russia, often accused of orchestrating these operations, routinely denies involvement.
What are the findings of the French probe?
Despite repeated sightings, French authorities stressed that the Creil base remains fully secure and operational, and cautioned that “any link with foreign provocations is, at this stage, premature.”
The investigation continues as European security agencies race to determine who — or what — is behind the mysterious drone flights.
