Netherlands Buys 51 Mobile Drone Detection Radars for Ukraine

The Dutch Ministry of Defense has purchased 51 mobile drone detection radars from Robin Radar Systems for Ukraine.

Deliveries will take place in the last quarter of 2024, in phases.

The ministry placed the repeat order after an initial purchase of 51 IRIS static drone radars 18 months ago, which have been deployed in various locations.

The latest radar comes equipped with a new on-the-move functionality, allowing it to operate while mounted on mobile platforms such as vehicles and vessels.

A mobile radar is harder to detect and target compared to static platforms, allowing it more uninterrupted time to perform drone detection.

The three-dimensional, 29-kilogram (64-pound) IRIS radar is designed to detect small, fast, and elusive drones and is capable of distinguishing them from flying objects such as birds.

It provides early warning and precise updates, even while moving at high speed. The radar has an azimuth coverage of 360 degrees and an elevation of 60 degrees.

It has a maximum instrumented range of 5 kilometers (3 miles). It can detect drones weighing 3 kilograms (6 pounds) at a range of 4 kilometers (2.48 miles) and those weighing 1.4 kilograms (3 pounds) at a range of 2 kilometers (1.24 miles).

The investment by the Dutch Ministry of Defense helped develop the capability, which protects against “motion-induced effects that could degrade coverage, accuracy and line of sight,” the company explained.

The purchase will help the company scale up weekly IRIS production to four units and enable further innovations for the front line.