Dutch army launching satellites to monitor battlefields from above
The Dutch Armed Forces will soon be launching the first of four new satellites with super-sensitive data, aimed at monitoring what is happening on the battlefield and in enemy territory from above. The Netherlands wants to be less dependent on the United States for this type of data, AD reports.
Currently, it is mainly the Americans who have this type of intelligence - over half of all satellites in space belong to them. But with the current American president continually threatening to turn his back on NATO allies, the Netherlands wants its own access to this kind of imagery.
Four years ago, the Netherlands sent its very first satellite into space as an experiment. Now, four more will follow, equipped with radar and built by the Finnish company ICEYE. Each satellite will pass by at an altitude of 600 kilometers 15 times per day. The satellites will be able to see troop movements in any type of weather or terrain, including deep into enemy territory. “We will know exactly what to expect in the event of an impending war,” Air Force Commander André Steur told the newspaper.
The Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) called the satellites “a welcome addition” to their resources. The MIVD will be responsible for analyzing the images. “We are now dependent on what companies and countries can provide us with for intelligence from space. If we want to have intelligence about a place that we consider important, it works best if you also have control over your own satellites,” MIVD director Peter Reesink said.
According to Steur, the super-sensitive radar will also have other uses. For example, dike inspectors can use the satellites to see how saturated dikes are. “I have been really impressed by how much information can be obtained from space. There are fantastic opportunities for the business community and knowledge institutes,” he told AD.
