The Dutch Ministry of Defence has signed a contract to buy 100 drone – detection radars from local manufacturer Robin Radar, accelerating efforts to protect military sites and airports in the NATO country.

The agreement calls for the first units to be handed over soon, with phased deliveries running through 2026.

Amsterdam said the radars will be positioned across airbases, critical facilities, and various defense units to “give the armed forces more time to act” upon detection.

The package’s support vehicles are expected early next year.

Capabilities and Technical Background
Robin Radar’s systems are designed to differentiate unmanned aerial systems from birds or other moving objects, which, according to the Dutch defense agency, is an issue that has complicated drone monitoring at airports across Europe.

Its Max, Iris, and Elvira models scan in all directions and refresh data roughly every second while mapping altitude, offering three – dimensional tracking for operators.

The company confirmed in late September that battlefield use in Ukraine helped improve its technology. Feedback from Ukrainian forces using units sent as part of Dutch military aid led to a software upgrade that more than doubled the detection range of the Iris model.

Amsterdam did not specify which version it will field through its latest investment.

Purchase After Incursions
The order follows several drone disruptions near Eindhoven Airport and Volkel Air Base, where flights were briefly halted and security forces responded to drones spotted above restricted zones.

The ministry has not identified the origin of the aircraft.

Officials across Europe have reported similar incidents in recent months, heightening concern about unmanned flights near sensitive locations.

• The Defense Post