Drones detected flying over military base in eastern Belgium, reports say

Fifteen unidentified drones were spotted flying over a military base in eastern Belgium overnight into Friday, according to domestic media reports.

The drones were detected by chance during a routine test of surveillance equipment at around 1:45 am on Friday over the Elsenborn military base.

The base, located within the German-speaking Community of Belgium, covers 28 square kilometres and is primarily used as an army training camp.

Where the drones came from and who was controlling them is not yet clear, although some local outlets said they had reportedly flown over the border from neighbouring Germany.

Belgium's defence ministry has reportedly launched an investigation into the incident.

The drone sightings come amid a recent spate of airspace violations in Europe.

Munich Airport in Germany was forced to suspend operations on Thursday night after "several drone sightings" were reported, leading to the cancellation of 17 flights.

In recent weeks, airports in Denmark, Norway and Poland similarly suspended flights due to unidentified drone activity.

Airspace violations were also reported in Estonia and Romania.

Those incursions have fuelled a debate among European leaders over the feasibility of a so-called drone wall to protect the eastern edge of the continent against drone incursions believed to be from Russia.

Moscow has dismissed claims that it was responsible for any of the airspace violations, calling them "unfounded accusations."