Drone operators for the Koninklijke Landmacht: Netherlands creates around 600 posts

Around 600 posts for drone operators are planned in a first phase: the Royal Netherlands Army (Koninklijke Landmacht) wants to equip its combat units with drones as quickly as possible.

For soldiers within NATO, drone technology has been part of operations for decades. Nowhere, however, are drones as deeply integrated into combat as on the battlefields of eastern Ukraine.

Because drones affect every aspect and every dimension of combat, the Dutch armed forces must master all facets, in the view of General Onno Eichelsheim. He is Commander of the Armed Forces and said:

We must be able to defend ourselves against drones, but also use them ourselves in every conceivable way – while keeping control of the rapid innovation cycle— General Onno Eichelsheim, Commander of the Armed Forces

More capabilities for drone operators and units

The Dutch armed forces are therefore consistently expanding their drone capabilities. Individual soldiers will receive special camouflage systems and computer-assisted aiming aids, among other things, while larger units will get reconnaissance and attack drones. At battalion level, a mobile innovation element is being added that can be taken directly to the front. There, technicians and users improve the drones together and continuously.

Whoever has the fastest innovation cycle has the upper hand— General Onno Eichelsheim

To achieve this, the Ministry of Defence is working closely with Dutch companies and research institutions, such as TNO.