Dutch Government Proposes €80 Million ‘DroneBoost’ to Strengthen Drone Industry

Minister Barry Madlener (Infrastructure and Water Management) presented the DroneBoost report to the Dutch Parliament last week. This report, developed in collaboration with industry and research institutions, outlines a strategy to accelerate the development and implementation of a Dutch drone ecosystem. The minister also points out that the Netherlands and Europe are currently largely dependent on drones and drone-related technology from non-EU countries, which could have negative consequences.

Stimulating Innovation and Collaboration

The DroneBoost program aims to strengthen the Dutch drone ecosystem by fostering innovation and collaboration. According to the report, drones offer not only strategic advantages in defense and security but also economic opportunities and societal benefits. The technology can contribute to more efficient logistics, faster emergency response, more sustainable agriculture, and improved inspection of vital infrastructure.

Five Societal Use Cases

The report identifies five key areas where drones can have a significant impact:
1. Safer ports – Drones enhance safety and efficiency in port and offshore operations and contribute to emissions reduction.
2. Faster emergency services – Drones support first responders with rapid incident response and improve success rates in search operations.
3. More productive agriculture – Precision applications using drones enable more sustainable crop management and higher yields.
4. Accessible healthcare – Drones facilitate urgent transport of medical supplies, even in remote areas.
5. Future-proof defense – The military aims to deploy drones for reconnaissance, surveillance, and logistical support in both military and civilian operations.

Seven Public Projects for Faster Integration

To accelerate the implementation of drones, DroneBoost focuses not only on the five use cases but also on seven crucial enabling factors:
– Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flying – Developing regulations and infrastructure for drones operating beyond the pilot’s line of sight.
– U-space – A digital air traffic management system for drones.
– Permits – Creating a more transparent and efficient permitting process.
– Ground infrastructure – Developing drone hubs and logistics networks.
– Knowledge platform – Encouraging collaboration and innovation within the sector.
– Human capital – Education and training programs for professionals in the drone industry.
– Research & organization – Stimulating R&D and supporting policy development.

Investment Need: Nearly €80 Million

The total cost of the program, which runs until 2030, is estimated at over €79 million. According to an analysis, every euro invested in DroneBoost is expected to yield a return of €1.15 to €1.70, for example, by reducing traffic congestion or improving agricultural land use. Additionally, the initiative aims to strengthen the technological independence of the Netherlands and Europe, maintain a competitive economy, and meet climate goals.

According to Madlener, cooperation between the government, industry, and research institutions is essential to achieve the ambitions of DroneBoost. Partners include NLR, ANWB, WUR, NVWA, Port of Rotterdam, RWS/Drone2Go, and LVNL. The ministry will provide annual reports on the program’s progress.

Dependence on Non-European Drones

In his accompanying parliamentary letter, Minister Madlener states that it is undesirable for the Netherlands to remain largely dependent on drones and drone hardware from non-European countries. He argues that this poses security risks, particularly in the inspection of critical infrastructure and defense applications.

However, how DroneBoost will concretely reduce this dependence remains unclear. The proposed strategy primarily focuses on applications rather than the development, acquisition, or production of alternative hardware.