Ministers in the Netherlands will examine whether managers of vital infrastructure may act against unauthorised drones, Dronewatch Europe reported. The cabinet accepted the proposal from a resilience network coordinated by the Physical Living Environment Consultative Body, though ministers have not yet decided whether to grant the powers.
Under current Dutch law, only police and the armed forces may intervene against drones that threaten sensitive locations. The resilience network, which includes more than 50 organisations across energy, telecommunications, transport, water management and defence, suggested granting site operators limited powers to intervene quickly when suspicious drones appear.
The government also plans to create a national drone detection database to combine information from different sensors, with a pilot set to launch at the Port of Rotterdam before 2026 ends. In addition, ministers announced plans for a national drone summit to coordinate counter-drone measures and security policies with infrastructure operators.
European authorities have expressed concern over suspicious drone flights near airports, energy installations and military sites. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has proposed widening Direct Remote ID rules to cover drones weighing more than 100 grams, though digital identification does not stop operators from disabling transmitters or flying without permission.
Also reported by Dronewatch
