Netherlands First to Integrate 1,200 Dedicated Drone Operators Into Combat Brigades

The Netherlands will embed 1,000-1,200 personnel in dedicated drone and counter-drone roles directly within combat brigades starting April 2026, becoming the first NATO member to formalize this force structure. Dutch Chief of Defence Gen. Eichelsheim cited Ukraine lessons where unmanned systems now destroy over 80% of enemy targets. The move reflects Europe's broader adaptation to mass drone warfare, where Russia and Ukraine deploy millions of drones annually. Eichelsheim stressed continuous front-line modernization requires 'a completely different approach' to defense industry collaboration.