News item | 29-01-2025 | 17:00
Defense reinforces the capacities drones To combat. For this, the organization does 22 mobile anti-drone cannon systems. Defense hopes to sign the contracts quickly. If that succeeds, the first new systems are possible in 2028. State Secretary Gijs Tuinman reports this today.
It’s about so -called Combat counter-unmanned Aircraft Systems. These are mobile systems, specially made for small uniminent systems such as drones To combat. This is in particular for the protection of the (medium) heavy brigades of the army.
The weapon systems have several own sensors and weapons. The system uses radars, cameras and lasers. Furthermore, the system is equipped with a 30 mm quick -fire cannon for combating dronesplanes and helicopters. This cannon can fire up to 1,250 shots per minute. In addition, the system has anti -aircraft missiles so that goals can also be used at a greater distance.
Plank
Defense largely buys ‘off the shelf’. The military organization opts for the cannon system Skyanger 30 of the German company Rheinmetall. Also the caterpillar vehicle where the Skyanger comes up, is of German origin. It’s about Armoured Combat Support Vehicles (ACSV) of Flensburger Fahrzeugbau.
Defense also buys the same armored vehicles for another project. This concerns the replacement of air defense at medium and short distance (MRAD and Shorad). Defense signed for the delivery of these air defense systems signed already a contract last year. In this way, Defense builds on a so -called layered air defense system, so that different weapon systems can be used in connection but also individually.
Interest
The continuous war in Ukraine and the developments in the Middle East show the increasing importance of drones on the battlefield. This also automatically underlines the importance of capacity for combating these unimporte systems.
State Secretary Tuinman: “We must be better able to cope with enemy drones and other threats from the air now and in the future. With the arrival of this new weapon system, we protect our troops and ensure the necessary combat power. The Netherlands also gives further substance to the needs of NATO. “
125 jobs
The new capacity is classified by the defense ground -based air defense command (DGLC). That is why the Ministry of Defense will expand this in the coming years with around 125 jobs. The DGLC is stationed on the Lieutenant General Bestkazerne in Vredepeel.
Mutual cooperation
The Netherlands is not the only European country that with the Skyanger starts working. Denmark, Germany and Austria have also purchased the system. Other European partners work with similar systems. This benefits mutual cooperation and interoperability.