The fight against drones is changing at lightning speed, but strikingly enough the Netherlands also plays a role in it. Three Dutch companies — AI Armaments has developed a completely new anti-drone weapon. A system that is not only compact, mobile and powerful, but above all shows what can emerge when Dutch defence technology reinforces itself. The vehicle comes from Defenture, and the radar from Robin Radar. Both Dutch defence companies.
And an interesting detail: the Korps Commandotroepen and (part of) the 11 Airmobile Brigade already use the VECTOR. Nothing is official yet, but it seems obvious that these units could be the first to qualify for the new anti-drone system in the future. Of course, the Ministry of Defence would still have to place an order
A fully Dutch platform made by Defenture.
The basis of the system is the VECTOR 4×4 — a light, robust and modular military vehicle designed and built in the Netherlands. The vehicle is known for its extreme agility, speed and flexibility. It performs everywhere, whether in urban areas, wooded regions or vast training grounds.
Because the commandos and the airmobile brigade already use the VECTOR, the platform is familiar territory for them. The big advantage: if this anti-drone system is ever introduced, these units will hardly need to get used to the vehicle itself. Only the new weapon capabilities make the difference.
(video Defenture)
The eyes and ears: Robin Radar from The Hague
Mounted on the VECTOR is a radar system from Robin Radar Systems, one of the most innovative radar companies in the world. Its radars are already used at airfields, on ships and at NATO installations, because they can reliably detect even the smallest drones — from commercial quadcopters to modified kamikaze devices.
The vehicle does not need to stand still or roll out complicated set-ups; as soon as it arrives, the radar immediately starts scanning and tracks threats automatically.
(Video Robin Radar Systems)
AI Armaments completes the package
On top of that comes the integration by AI Armaments, a Dutch company that focuses on linking sensors, supplying various types of weapons (from drones to ammunition) and software into one working whole. Where other countries often need several suppliers to get such a system operational, AI Armaments ensures that everything — radar, fire control and weapon — works together directly.
The weapon itself can vary. A .50-calibre machine gun is a commonly used option, but the system is modular: it can also be fitted with a 40mm grenade launcher, for example. Over time this will change, also because the world of drones is changing.
With special anti-drone ammunition, the system can take out both small, fast quadcopters and larger tactical drones. For the soldiers on the ground, that means direct protection. These vehicles move with the infantry, and the weapons have a range of 2 kilometres. So it is really meant to protect the assault group against drones.
Why this collaboration is so special
What makes this project particularly unique is that it is a fully Dutch product — from vehicle to radar and weapon system. In a world where defence projects often consist of international puzzle pieces, that is exceptional. It shows that the Netherlands is not only good at niche technology, but also at building complete military solutions. You can see that money is being freed up for defence and that start-ups thinking in terms of solutions are also emerging in the Netherlands.
The fact that three companies with completely different expertise have sought to work together makes the system extra interesting for the Ministry of Defence. You get speed, short lines of communication and above all the ability to quickly adapt the system to the wishes of Dutch units. No complicated foreign licences, no unnecessary export restrictions, no months of bureaucracy.
And will this end up with Dutch units?
Nothing is officially known about that yet. But the signs are there.
The VECTOR is already used by:
- Korps Commandotroepen
- 11 Airmobile Brigade (partly)
These units are often the first to work with new systems, because they are flexible, use small teams and have a lot of experience with asymmetric threats. Drones — especially small FPV kamikaze drones — are exactly that kind of threat.
So it would come as no surprise if the first operational version of this Dutch anti-drone platform eventually ends up with these units. They know the vehicle, they operate in environments where drones pose a direct threat, and they have exactly the mobility that makes this system so strong.
A Dutch solution to a modern problem
The war in Ukraine has shown that drones are the new norm on the battlefield. They reconnoitre, jam, attack and cause enormous damage for relatively little money. The only real way to counter that is with systems that are just as fast, smart and flexible as the threat itself.
With this VECTOR anti-drone solution, the Netherlands shows something impressive: that we not only have technology that can keep up, but that we are also able to build complete, modern weapon systems ready for the battlefield of today — and tomorrow. Great to see entrepreneurs in the Netherlands stepping up. We are curious to see what else the future will bring.
