Drones that scan above training grounds for enemies or carry out attacks. Ground drones that transport wounded people or deliver ammunition. The work of soldiers in Havelte, Assen and the rest of the Netherlands will look very different in the coming years.
A loud explosion sounds and plumes of smoke rise at the barracks in Oirschot, Brabant. A military voice announces: “Target disabled.” Hundreds of soldiers in uniform stand in line. Senior military personnel and special guests watch on a large screen during a ceremony. It is the official introduction to Defense’s new drone units.
“Drones are woven into every Defense unit,” says platoon commander Troy of the 43rd Mechanized Brigade from Havelte. He is present in Brabant with about a hundred soldiers for a so-called drone day, which serves as the official starting signal.
Within the army, each unit will have its own section that focuses on drones and combating them. The size of that part varies per level. “In some cases it concerns a group of eight soldiers, at a higher level a platoon of about forty men. This ultimately grows to approximately 1,200 soldiers within the army.”
It is estimated that around 200 soldiers will work with drones in Havelte. Additional specialists will be trained for this in the coming years.
Residents will notice that too, says Troy. “You will see that we will be flying drones more often around training areas. If we fly above civilian areas, we will announce this well in advance. There are also application procedures in consultation with municipalities.”
According to him, drones are playing an increasingly important role in modern conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine. “We have been working on it in the Netherlands for some time, for example during missions in Afghanistan, but that was on a much smaller scale. Only recently have we really started scaling up to the size that you now see in Ukraine.”
Drones are used, among other things, for reconnaissance and locating enemy positions, but also for attacks. In addition, there are ground drones that can help transport wounded people or ammunition.
Is the Netherlands ready for the future? “I think we are a forerunner if you look at the rest of NATO, but we still have a long way to go. We know what needs to be done, but we have to continue to develop.”
Defense also hopes to attract new people. “We are looking for people with an affinity for drones, such as young people who already have experience with flying, or technical staff who can build and maintain drones.”
