There is a new short range air defense unit in the Royal Netherlands Army. Due to the fact that of the increased air and missile threats, the 11th Air Defence Battery was established. The battery features armament systems that can defend against aircraft and drone threats. The unit’s specialization is close and extremely close range airborne threat protection. A stinger battalion and a counter-drone platoon make up the battery. The new unit is part of the Defence Ground-based Air Defence Command (DGLC), which is headquartered in Vredepeel. The introduction of the new unit marks the beginning of a series of improvements aimed at strengthening the Dutch Air Defence.
The current systems of the 13th Air Defence Battery, for example, will be replaced. This battery excels in medium-range defense. In addition, a third unit is created, which is identical to the 13 Air Defence Battery. Finally, the Patriot’s capacity will be expanded. The unit was founded exactly one year after the 2022 Defense Memorandum was presented. This includes, among other things, the Ministry of Defence investing more on capabilities that the armed forces excel at. An example of this is air defense. This means that defense can complete its first major mission in this area: safeguarding its own and allies’ territory.
The FIM-92 Stinger is an American man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS) that operates as an infrared homing surface-to-air missile (SAM). The FIM-92 Stinger is a passive surface-to-air missile that can be shoulder-fired by a single operator. It can be adapted to fire from a wide variety of ground vehicles, and from helicopters as the Air-to-Air Stinger (ATAS). It entered service in 1981 and is used by the militaries of the United States and 29 other countries. It is principally manufactured by Raytheon Missiles & Defense and is produced under license by Airbus Defence and Space in Germany and by Roketsan in Turkey.
The Stinger can be used against planes and helicopters at a range of up to five kilometres. The Royal Netherlands Army has two types – a portable one fired from the shoulder and once which can be mounted on an armoured vehicle. The Royal Netherlands Army also placed an order at the Turkish company ASELSAN for 18 Raytheon Stinger surface-to-air missile launchers to be fitted on the Fennek. The launcher in this case is the Stinger Weapon Platform (SWP), with four Stinger missiles intended for mid-range air defence. The launcher can be controlled from on board the vehicle, or else remotely as part of a distributed air defense system.
