Netherlands testing multiple systems to increase defense against drones
The Netherlands is working on amping up its anti-drone defense. Over the past few weeks, dozens of companies came to Marknesse to show off their systems against drones and test whether they can meet the strict military requirements, AD reports.
One of the systems would have been very useful last November when drones were spotted over various air bases in the Netherlands. This system involves a sensitive camera that can zoom in at lightning speed and keep track of a drone.
This allows the military personnel in the control room to see exactly what type of drone is involved and, more importantly, whether there are any explosives attached to it.
Over the past two weeks, 239 technicians from 24 countries demonstrated their anti-drone solutions to NATO in the fields of Marknesse. “During this exercise, I certainly saw systems that are nearly ready or could already be operational,” Joe Pisoni, responsible for layered counter-drone systems at NATO, told AD.
Matt Roper of the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) is also excited. The technology is ready, he said. Now it is up to governments to sort out money and political issues, such as who is responsible when enemy drones fly across national borders.
The Netherlands has allocated up to €2.5 billion to invest in anti-drone weapons. The Ministry of Defense has not yet decided who will supply what equipment.
