Netherlands Orders 100 Drone-Hunting Radars After Ukrainian Battlefield Success
The Netherlands has green-lit the purchase of 100 advanced drone-detection radars, fast-tracking delivery after systems previously supplied to Ukraine proved highly effective in real combat conditions.
The Gaze reports this, referring to a statement made by the Dutch Ministry of Defense.
According to the ministry, the first batch of radars produced by Dutch manufacturer Robin Radar is scheduled for deployment on November 28, while the remaining systems will be delivered through 2026.
The IRIS-series radars are designed to detect and classify small unmanned aerial vehicles and can differentiate drones from birds or other airborne movement – providing critical early-warning capabilities.
“The radars provide the armed forces with more time to respond. They will be positioned across military units, at airbases, and other vital sites,” the ministry said.
The deal was processed under accelerated terms after several drone sightings over Volkel and Eindhoven airbases, prompting defense authorities to prioritize counter-UAV coverage. Both the Ministry of Defense and Robin Radar are operating under an expedited production timeline.
The Netherlands previously supplied Ukraine with 51 mobile drone-detection radars in 2024, where they saw extensive frontline use. Robin Radar has since reported that operational feedback from Ukrainian forces allowed engineers to create a software upgrade that more than doubled the IRIS detection radius, significantly boosting system performance.
The company’s product catalog includes Max, IRIS, and ELVIRA, all offering 360° coverage and rapid refresh rates. Max and IRIS versions provide full 3D tracking, showing altitude as well as position. Additional support vehicles for the new Dutch units are expected early next year.
As The Gaze reported earlier, the Netherlands has pledged €10 million to a British-led initiative aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s cybersecurity amid ongoing Russian hybrid attacks.
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