The Netherlands is the first NATO country to fully integrate drones into its military
The Dutch Armed Forces have announced a major structural reform that involves introducing unmanned technologies and counter-drone measures into every combat unit of the army.
This was reported by the NL Times.
As General Onno Eichelsheim, Chief of Defense Staff of the Dutch Armed Forces, stated on March 23, 2026, the country is the first in the Alliance to implement such a comprehensive approach to military modernization, taking into account the experience of modern conflicts.
To staff the newly formed units, recruitment of 1,000 to 1,200 service members will begin in April. The general emphasized that the war in Ukraine and events in the Middle East have demonstrated the decisive role of drones, which is why the Netherlands is focusing on the continuous adaptation of systems and close cooperation with manufacturers. This initiative marks a shift from isolated special units to the systematic use of drones at all levels of the military structure.
The introduction of unmanned technologies in NATO is occurring in parallel with Ukraine’s successes, where, with German funding, 15,000 Strila interceptor drones are already being manufactured for the National Guard. While Russia attempts to recruit Ukrainians for sabotage via social media, and Iran denies negotiations with the U.S. amid ballistic threats to Europe, the Netherlands is establishing a new standard of defense. As NATO armies strengthen their technological capabilities, Ukraine continues on March 23 to address the aftermath of attacks on its power grid and prepare for the spring flood season, which began earlier than the long-term average this year.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian interceptor drones have already successfully destroyed several Iranian drones over the country in the Persian Gulf. Kyiv has sent its own specialists to the Middle East to assist local forces in countering UAVs, and the first results are already visible.
Also, how heavy-duty drones are saving lives on the front lines.
