The Netherlands plans to equip its soldiers with technology to protect against unmanned aerial vehicle attacks.
Gijs Tuinman, the state secretary for defence, said in a letter to Parliament that his office seeks to acquire personal anti-drone kits. The decision comes as the country faces an increasing need for such equipment, particularly in light of the growing use of drones during the Ukraine-Russia war and the conflicts in the Middle East.
Tuinman emphasized the importance of countering UAV threats, saying, “Military personnel may increasingly face attacks or unwanted reconnaissance using small unmanned systems, including drones. The ability to take out [unmanned aircraft systems] is essential to the security of our military and the missions and tasks they perform.”
According to a report by Defense News, Amsterdam is planning to invest between $52 million and $260 million in these protection kits. The kits will include targeting lasers, portable jammers and portable radio frequency sensors. The Dutch Ministry of Defence intends to deploy these solutions, expected to last less than 10 years, to military units stationed near the front lines, particularly along NATO’s eastern borders.
The use of drones in military operations has surged during the Ukraine-Russia war, with attacks conducted by Russia increasing fivefold from May to November, according to CNN data. While the exact source of the Russian UAVs remains unconfirmed, state-owned media reported in January that Moscow is exploring establishing drone production capabilities in the Middle East.