Dutch military personnel shot down multiple drones over The Hague as part of a wide-ranging security operation during the NATO summit, the Ministry of Defense confirmed Friday.
While the summit itself took place indoors, much of the security effort was focused outside, where military forces operated alongside police units to secure the surrounding area. According to the Ministry, soldiers “neutralized countless drones” as part of ongoing airspace monitoring and defense.
“With, among other things, anti-drone operations, the military kept the airspace safe. And that was necessary, ” the Ministry stated in the press release.
The Ministry highlighted the role of the military’s Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems Battery, which was tasked with early detection, identification and potential neutralization of drones. The unit operated with a range of sensors, including specialized infrared viewers and Squire radar systems. Some of the equipment used had been acquired on short notice specifically to support the summit.
State Secretary for Defense Gijs Tuinman and The Hague Mayor Jan van Zanen visited the counter-UAS team near the Peace Palace, where they received a briefing and observed the system in operation.
“It is good to see, together with the mayor, how this unit operates,” said Tuinman, describing the air defense capability as “unique” and of significant importance.
The Ministry of Defense did not specify the number or type of drones neutralized, nor did it comment on their origin or intent.
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Post Image Credit: Dutch Ministry of Defense
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