Luxembourg Increases Detection Assets After Unauthorized Drone Sightings
Government Response to Drone Incursions in Luxembourg Airspace
Deployment of Additional Detection Assets
BRUSSELS, Sept 20 (Reuters) - Luxembourg's government said on Sunday that additional detection assets have been deployed to strengthen airspace monitoring, after Luxembourg Airport temporarily suspended services late on Friday due to the sighting of drones.
"To strengthen airspace monitoring and analysis capabilities, additional detection assets have been deployed, including resources provided by foreign partners," the government said in a statement.
Enhancing Surveillance and Assessment Capabilities
"These supplementary systems have contributed to further consolidating airspace surveillance and contributed to a better assessment of the situation by the competent authorities," it added.
Reports and Investigation of Drone Sightings
Police Response to Suspected Drone Activity
The government also said that on Saturday evening police "received several reports concerning the suspected presence of drones within national airspace" but that "following verifications, no situation required an operational intervention by the authorities".
Suspension of Flight Operations
Luxembourg's authorities launched an investigation after flight operations had been temporarily suspended on Friday evening following the visual sighting of "unidentified and unauthorized drones".
Statements from Luxembourg Officials
Prime Minister's Remarks on the Situation
Prime Minister Luc Frieden told reporters on Saturday that his country had been "confronted with something new for Luxembourg, the presence of potentially bigger drones in the Luxembourg airspace".
Precautionary Measures Taken
"We have observed this over the past few days, which led to the precautionary measure last night," he said.
Ongoing Monitoring and International Cooperation
On Sunday, Luxembourg's government said its drone assessment cell is continuing work with partners to ensure monitoring of the situation.
(Reporting by Lili Bayer; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)