On Tuesday, October 14, 2025, following initial reports by Dutch newspaper AD, the Ministry of Defence of the Kingdom of the Netherlands told NOS that during the ongoing international exercise Falcon Autumn 25 in Poland, unidentified drones disrupted the operational activities of the 11th Air Assault Brigade (11 Luchtmobiele Brigade).
Photos: sergeant Gregory Fréni, Ministerstwo Obrony Królestwa Niderlandów
As the spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence of the Kingdom of the Netherlands told reporters in response to questions, in addition to the detection of the suspicious drones themselves, disruptions to the communications systems used by Dutch soldiers were recorded.
The military did not have anti-drone systems with them. The systems were delivered from the Netherlands shortly after the incidents. “There was no direct threat,” says Brigadier General Frank Grandia. “We are quite far from the Russian border. We learned from it immediately and adapted right away.”
As part of the two-week annual exercises with Polish and U.S. forces (including the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade – editor’s note) codenamed Falcon Autumn, which involve a total of 1,800 troops, the Dutch are also supported by the helicopter command DHC (Defensie Helikopter Commando). In view of recent drone incidents in Europe, including the most serious violation of Polish airspace by Russia, the vigilance of the Dutch command remained high. “The espionage threat is high,” said Gen. Grandia.
During one of the exercise scenarios, when soldiers of the 11th Air Assault Brigade were setting up their camp at the Zegrze airfield, small drones unexpectedly appeared.
“It is not clear who is behind the drones. We know there are parties that have an extraordinary interest in what we do and are monitoring the exercises,” Grandia says. The exercise was adjusted but not canceled. Ultimately the drones flew away.
“The measures we take to protect our techniques and tactics have been tightened. We are using our communications differently and developing plans with the awareness that our communications can be disrupted, because that happens here too,” Gen. Grandia added.
The general said he expected nothing less than that the exercises might attract Russia’s interest. “From their perspective that also makes sense, he believes. We are closer to the Russian border. On the one hand, that creates tension because you feel watched. On the other hand, we can also show that we are prepared for it. If I were in their shoes, I would think, ‘that’s a serious club.’”
In the view of the commander of the 11th Air Assault Brigade, the fact that the exercises are taking place in the country so soon after Russia literally crossed the Polish border is a welcome convergence of circumstances. Falcon Autumn 25 was planned long before those incidents. “From Poland’s point of view, it’s very convenient that we are exercising here now. It helps them a lot that NATO units are currently operating in the country. You could say it’s a coincidental response to the drones. It’s good for them, it’s good for us and it raises awareness among everyone nearby,” the general said.
According to the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, the aim of the Falcon Autumn 25 exercise, which involves troops from Poland, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the United States, is to improve cooperation in airmobile operations and to increase coordination among the armed forces of NATO allies.
The main forces are units from the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which are closely cooperating with the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade. Maneuvers are being conducted at the Zegrze airfield, at the Drawsko training area, and at training centers in Żagań and Wędrzyn.
About 250 soldiers from the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade are participating in this year’s edition of the exercise.
Celem ćwiczenia #FalconAutumn2025, w którym uczestniczą żołnierze z 🇵🇱, 🇳🇱 i 🇺🇸, jest doskonalenie współpracy w zakresie operacji aeromobilnych oraz zwiększanie poziomu koordynacji działań sił zbrojnych państw sojuszniczych NATO.
🔥 Główne siły stanowią pododdziały z Królestwa… pic.twitter.com/YVa31aqtQE— Sztab Generalny WP (@SztabGenWP) October 14, 2025
