For the first time in the Netherlands, the security authorities deployed a squadron of AARTOS X9 from AARONIA
Against the backdrop of the ongoing tense global political situation – from Russia’s war against Ukraine to growing tensions in the Middle East – the NATO summit in The Hague on June 24/25 was of particular importance in terms of security policy. Accordingly, the host country, the Netherlands, deployed the most extensive security operation in its history under the code name „Orange Shield“. Almost half of the national police force and more than 10,000 members of the armed and rescue forces were deployed. The drone detection and defense specialists from AARONIA AG were also involved.
Airspace completely closed to civilian drones
In order to protect the heads of state and government, the Dutch aviation authority issued a temporary flight restriction.
Within a radius of 16km around the World Forum in The Hague, all flights, including all drones, were prohibited from June 23, 15:00 to June 25, 23:59.
Within a wider radius of 93km, manned and unmanned systems were only allowed to take off with special permission from the government. Violations were punished with heavy fines and the confiscation of aircraft.
Several AARTOS X9 systems in 360° deployment
For the first time in the Netherlands, the security authorities deployed a squadron of AARTOS X9 from AARONIA to effectively defend against potential drone threats.
In addition to stationary sensor points, the fully integrated shelter solution based on a Mercedes-Benz Unimog was used, which combines radar, RF direction finding station, EO/IR cameras and jammers in a self-sufficient system and is ready for use in less than five minutes.
The networked X9 systems used passive 3D RF direction finding, active radar and optical verification to achieve seamless 360° surveillance over several kilometers and provided both the position of suspicious drones and their pilots in real time. This technology had already proven its worth in securing the 2024 G20 summit in Rio.
Transfer of expertise and active operational support
AARONIA experts trained the Dutch military forces in the use of the AARTOS system before the start of the summit, including the RTSA-Suite PRO software, which made a decisive contribution to completing the situation picture. The experts were also available around the clock as technical advisors during the event.
For reasons of confidentiality, the authorities are not providing any information on specific drone incidents. However, all detected objects were detected and neutralized at an early stage, so that there was no danger to the delegations at any time.
„A mission like this is always both an honor and a challenge for us. I would like to express my sincere thanks for the trust placed in us by the Dutch security officials and the excellent cooperation on site,“ explains Stephan Kraschansky, CEO of Aaronia GmbH Austria, who led the mission on site.
