Robin Radar delivers at least 50 Iris radar systems to Dutch MoD

Robin Radar's Iris X-band PESA radar paired with a tripod. (Robin Radar Systems)

At least 50 Iris radars have been delivered by Robin Radar Systems to the Dutch Ministry of Defence (MoD) and are being deployed across key airbases and critical infrastructure, according to the company's 15 December press release.

Robin Radar Systems went from producing 20 radars a year to eight per week, Siete Hamminga, CEO of Robin Radar, said in the 15 December press release. “With this Dutch MoD order, the first 30 systems were delivered within 24 hours of signing [of the contract].”

Robin Radar Systems signed a contract with the Dutch MoD on 27 November to supply 100 of its Iris radars, according to the Dutch MoD. The first few radars were handed over on 28 November, according to the MoD press release. All radars are expected to be delivered by the end of 2025, with corresponding vehicles expected in quarter one of 2026.

The purchase is in response to incidents involving unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) spotted over the Volkel and Eindhoven airbases, according to the MoD. The Dutch armed forces opened fire at unknown UAVs over Volkel Air Base on 21 November, the Dutch MoD reported at the time. Both military and civilian police were investigating the incident. On 22 November, airspace over Eindhoven Airport was closed for several hours to both military and civilian aircraft following multiple UAV sightings. A few hours later air traffic resumed. In the evening on 22 November, Dutch Minister of Defence Ruben Brekelmans commented on the incidents on social media, saying that the MoD had taken “measures but for security reasons it cannot yet share any more information on how it is being done”.