Dutch king pilots military drones during defence training-ground visit

King Willem-Alexander took the controls of military drones during a visit to a Dutch defence training ground in Amersfoort on Thursday, as the armed forces aim to make half their combat power unmanned within five years.

At the Vlasakkers training area, the king flew a drone around an obstacle course and landed it. He also took control of a silent reconnaissance drone during an exercise in which he was asked to identify a target, which was then engaged.

Defence officials briefed him on how drone units are adapting to rapid technological change. They described modular drones whose components can be replaced quickly and software updated, and showed him a mobile workshop where specialists make parts, repair drones and modify software near the battlefield. Willem-Alexander also tried repairing a drone himself.

The king, who is a pilot, needed only occasional guidance to steer the course, the report said. During the target exercise, he was told: “I believe that was a hit, Your Majesty.”