The Netherlands Ministry of Defence has signed a contract to procure 100 advanced drone-detection radars from Dutch firm Robin Radar, reinforcing national security measures around military zones and civilian airports. The rollout will begin shortly, with full delivery scheduled in phases until 2026, reflecting the growing urgency to counter the threat posed by unmanned aircraft.
The new radar units will be installed at key sites such as Dutch airbases, strategic facilities, and defense units. The ministry emphasized that the system will improve response times by alerting personnel immediately when drones breach restricted airspace. Support vehicles tied to the radar systems are expected to arrive in early 2025, completing the operational package.
Robin Radar’s detection systems—known for their Max, Iris, and Elvira models—are engineered to differentiate drones from natural airborne activity. This capability has become essential in Europe, where airports frequently face challenges distinguishing drones from birds. The radars scan in all directions, refresh tracking data every second, and provide detailed 3D altitude information, enabling more reliable monitoring. The company previously reported that operational feedback from Ukrainian forces helped drive upgrades that more than doubled the detection range of the Iris model.
The ministry did not disclose which specific radar type will be fielded under this order. The purchase comes after several incidents involving drones near Eindhoven Airport and Volkel Air Base, where flight operations were temporarily halted due to unauthorized aerial activity. With similar events occurring across Europe, defense officials are increasingly concerned about the security risks posed by unmanned aircraft near sensitive military and critical infrastructure sites.
