How was it possible for drones to approach, and then fly over, the Skrydstrup air base – where Denmark's F-16 and F-35 fighter jets are stationed – without being shot down or intercepted on the night of September 24 to 25? In Denmark, the shock caused by the drone incursion over Copenhagen airport on September 22 quickly turned to consternation after similar aircraft flew over other strategic sites, just a week before European heads of state and government were set to gather in the Danish capital for summits on October 1 and 2.

The targets included the airports of Aalborg, Billund and Sønderborg, as well as the port of Esbjerg in the West of the country, several military bases, and oil platforms in the North Sea. Reflecting growing anxiety, Danish police revealed on Friday that they had received more than 500 alerts in the previous 24 hours – most of them unfounded. One of these led to another closure of Aalborg airport overnight from Thursday to Friday, although investigators could not confirm the presence of drones.

While the incidents caused no physical damage, their repeated nature exposed the vulnerability of the small Nordic country to what Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen immediately called "hybrid attacks." In this context, the opposition accused the governing coalition – comprising Social Democrats, Liberals and the centrist Moderates – of failing to adequately prepare the kingdom.

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