The Dutch Ministry of Defence has finalized a contract to acquire 100 drone-detection radars from domestic manufacturer Robin Radar, advancing national efforts to secure military bases and airports. Initial systems are expected to be delivered shortly, with phased deployment continuing through 2026.
The radars will be installed across airbases, critical infrastructure, and defence units to provide operators additional reaction time once unmanned aircraft are detected. Support vehicles for the system are due for delivery early next year.
Robin Radar’s technology can distinguish drones from birds and other airborne objects—an ongoing challenge facing airports across Europe. The company’s Max, Iris, and Elvira models provide 360-degree scanning and update tracking data every second, enabling accurate three-dimensional monitoring.
Robin Radar noted that Ukrainian battlefield feedback helped enhance performance, resulting in a software upgrade that more than doubled the detection range of the Iris variant. The Dutch government has not confirmed which model will be procured under the latest order.
The decision comes after several drone-related disruptions around Eindhoven Airport and Volkel Air Base, where operations were temporarily suspended following sightings of drones in restricted airspace. Authorities have not yet identified the source of these incursions, reflecting broader European concerns about increasing unauthorized drone activity near sensitive sites.
