MYSTERIOUS drones were reported flying over a military base, storing US nuclear arms, twice in just 24 hours.

A police helicopter and jammer were hastily deployed in a bid to chase and disrupt the radio waves of the three devices hovering above the Kleine-Brogel air base near Peer, Belgium.

It comes just weeks after Nato revealed it is ramping up its air defences as rogue drones continue to menace European airports and bases.

According to Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken, the drones were spotted yesterday evening flying “at higher altitudes” and were on a “clear mission” targeting the military base.

In a post on X, he urgently appealed for more funding to counter the threat, adding the helicopter and jammer were unsuccessful in deterring the devices.

The flights breached what is considered one of Europe’s most sensitive military spots widely believed to house US nuclear weapons.

It’s the base’s second incursion in just 24 hours with unidentified drones seen over the area on Friday night too.

Francken said: “Last night, three drone reports were received over Kleine Brogel, larger drones flying at higher altitudes. Not a typical overflight, but a clear mission targeting Kleine Brogel.

“Drone gun jammer fired, proved ineffective.l Police helicopters and police vans pursued a drone but lost contact after traveling several kilometers north. Police/ADIV investigation ongoing.

“Thank you to the security staff for their vigilance and follow-up. Thank you to the police. We are increasing our vigilance even further with a view to catching the pilots.”

“Additional CUAS funding urgently needed. The Council of Ministers’ dossier is ready.”

Next week, Peer’s mayor, police representatives and members of the Ministry of Defence will meet to discuss Belgium’s airspace breach.

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Kleine Brogel reportedly stores US gravity bombs and is considered of immense strategic value to Nato.

It’s also understood the base will house advanced F-35 fighter jets by 2027 further elevating security concerns.

The recent drone sightings come as Europe grapples with continuing air security threats.

In the last few months, the continent has witnessed fighter jet face-offs, mysterious large drone sightings and coordinated sabotage activities that crippled operations at major airports.

In September alone, drones were spotted over multiple Danish bases, while multiple flights were diverted from Gran Canaria airport in Spain after similar sightings.

Russia has been blamed for some of them, but denies responsibility.

European nations, especially those on Nato’s eastern flank, are now planning to build a multi-layered air defence system that will help detect the drones early and take them down.

Several frontline European nations met last month to assess how to protect their borders with a so-called “drone wall”.

These include the Baltic republics, Poland, Romania and Bulgaria, and Ukraine.

The aim of the “drone wall” is to build a sophisticated, multi-layered air-defence system that can detect, track and take down rogue drones – without having to scramble fighter jets and use million-dollar missiles as the first response.

Shoot ’em down

Trump previously told Nato to shoot down Russian planes if they breach European airspace.

Speaking on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September, the US President said member states “shouldn’t hesitate” in the face of incursions.

His comments came after three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered Estonia’s airspace “without clearance”.

The fighter jets – capable of carrying Kinzhal hypersonic missiles – flew over Vaindloo Island and stayed there for nearly 12 minutes.

Nato allies scrambled Italian F-35s to repel the Russian jets.

Shortly afterwards, Polish authorities reported a “low flyover” of Russian military planes near an oil and gas platform.

European diplomats privately warned Moscow that further incursions into Nato airspace would be met with full force, including shooting down Russian fighter jets.

Ambassadors of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany met with Russian officials in Moscow in a tense meeting.

It was agreed the violation of Estonian airspace had been a deliberate tactic ordered by Russian commanders.

But the bold declaration attracted an ominous threat from Moscow, which said that acting on it would mean war.

Alexey Meshkov, Russia’s ambassador to France, said: “You know, there are many Nato planes that violate Russian airspace, deliberately or not, but it happens quite often. They are not shot down afterwards,” he told RTL, without providing an example.