News item | 25-11-2025 | 13:40
In the coming years, Defense will invest heavily in new means to combat drones. The threat from unmanned systems is increasing rapidly. This is evident from the war in Ukraine, the threat from the East and developments in the Middle East. Add to this the recent incidents with drones in Poland and Romania and recently also in the Netherlands. Defense therefore wants to have additional systems available more quickly that can be used against unmanned aircraft. State Secretary Gijs Tuinman wrote this to the House of Representatives yesterday.
In 2028, the organization will deploy the new anti-drone gun system Skyranger30 in. In order to provide infantry units with mobile capacity against small drones until then, Defense is purchasing quickly available so-called drones combat Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS). Think of armored wheeled vehicles as a chassis and remotely controlled weapon systems. It also concerns ammunition and Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I) resources. Defense integrates these components together with industry into an operational air defense system. These systems will continue even after the arrival of the Skyranger30 deployable.
In addition, Defense is expanding the order of the Skyranger30 accelerated with mobile anti-drone gun systems. These are intended to protect important infrastructure, such as the port of Rotterdam. Military locations and the armored infantry battalion to be established will also be secured in this way.
Detect and disrupt
Defense is also strengthening protection against drones with other weapon systems. For example, units of the army and navy receive light patrol vehicles with integrated weapons. Furthermore, all available air defense assets (‘extended All Arms Air Defense‘ (eAAAD)) has been expanded to include new portable and vehicle-based systems. Consider additional options to detect and disrupt drones.
Finally, Defense invests in new technologies, including so-called interceptor drones. These are designed to take out enemy versions by crashing into them or detonating them.
In total, this involves an investment between €1 and €2.5 billion. The armed forces are therefore better prepared to defend their own and allied territory.
Kamikaze drones
The navy also has to deal with the growing threat of drones and must take more action against it. Navy ships are currently insufficiently equipped to combat kamikaze drones, among other things. This is possible with a so-called maritime kinetic CUAS defense system. Because these land-based systems are already available, the European defense industry is expected to be able to offer a solution for the navy as well. This project involves an investment of between €250 million and €1 billion.