Netherlands to Deploy 2,000-Km Range Radar at Herwijnen after Environmental Approval

The Netherlands has approved the construction of a new radar station at Herwijnen following the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate’s environmental permit.

State Secretary of Defence Gijs Tuinman informed the House of Representatives about the decision, which is part of the "Rijksinpassingsplan Radarstation Herwijnen." The station aims to strengthen national airspace monitoring and defense capabilities. The Staatscourant will publish the official decision on Thursday, with objections open until April 25 for submission to the Council of State.

The Herwijnen radar station will house Thales’ SMART-L Multi-Mission/Fixed (SMART-L MM/F) radar system. This 3D multibeam radar offers long-range air and surface surveillance, target designation, and enhanced ballistic missile detection with a range of 2,000 km.

Construction will begin with an inspection phase, and the station is expected to be operational by 2026.

The SMART-L MM/F radar uses an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) system, enabling advanced tracking flexibility and future upgrades. It can detect various targets, including stealth aircraft and ballistic missiles, and is already operational on naval vessels in the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, and South Korea.

The Netherlands' installation of the SMART-L MM/F radar at Herwijnen is expected to improve airspace surveillance and national security.