The Dutch Ministry of Defence has finalized a major contract to acquire 100 drone-detection radars from domestic manufacturer Robin Radar, strengthening national efforts to secure military bases and airports across the Netherlands. The first systems will be delivered soon, with additional batches arriving in phases through 2026, marking one of the country’s largest recent investments in counter-drone technology.
According to officials, the new radar systems will be deployed at airbases, high-value military installations, and critical defense units, giving security forces earlier warning when unmanned aircraft enter restricted zones. The ministry stated that advance detection will “give the armed forces more time to act” during potential drone incursions. Support vehicles associated with the radar package are expected to be delivered early next year.
Robin Radar’s technology is designed to distinguish unmanned aerial systems (UAS) from birds and other moving objects—an issue that has long challenged drone monitoring at European airports. Its Max, Iris, and Elvira radar models provide 360-degree surveillance, update tracking data almost every second, and offer three-dimensional altitude mapping to aid operators. The company revealed that frontline use in Ukraine led to a significant software upgrade, more than doubling the detection range of the Iris system.
The Netherlands has not yet confirmed which radar variant will be fielded under the new deal. The order follows recent drone-related disruptions at Eindhoven Airport and Volkel Air Base, where flights were temporarily halted after drones entered secured airspace. While the ministry has not identified the operators behind these incidents, similar drone sightings across Europe have raised concerns about unauthorized unmanned flights near sensitive defense locations.
