Harskamp residents face more noise as military shooting exercises expand
Residents near Harskamp Military Range may soon endure louder and more frequent gunfire as the Ministry of Defence expands shooting exercises. The province urges measures to limit noise pollution and protect local communities and wildlife.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Current annual shots fired | 12.7 million |
| Proposed annual shots fired | 16.5 million |
| Location | Infantry Shooting Range (ISK) Harskamp, Gelderland |
| Affected areas | Homes southwest of the site; nature and protected species to the northeast |
| New activity | Expansion of helicopter firing options |
| Government programme | National Programme for Space for Defence (NPRD) |
| Province response | Requests noise monitoring, coordination with authorities, and dialogue |
The province of Gelderland oversees environmental and noise permits for military activities within its borders. Its role is to balance national defence needs with the well-being of local residents and ecosystems, ensuring compliance with regulations.
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Read the full translated article below
Our response to the expansion of shooting activities at Harskamp
We consider a well-equipped and trained armed forces to be important. That is why we understand that more shooting must take place at Harskamp Military Range. However, this also results in increased noise pollution. We call on the Ministry of Defence to take into account the residents of nearby homes and vulnerable nature.
Shooting exercises
The Ministry of Defence requires a broader environmental and noise permit to be able to train with new and modern weapons at the Infantry Shooting Range (ISK) Harskamp. Currently, 12.7 million shots are fired there each year; this needs to increase to 16.5 million. The Ministry of Defence also wants to expand helicopter firing options at the shooting range. This will cause noise pollution for residents of homes southwest of the site and for nature and protected species to the northeast.
Monitoring and limiting effects
We are responding to the plans. This response is called a view. In our view, we ask the Ministry of Defence to:
- include in the Response Memorandum how the Ministry of Defence intends to limit noise pollution and how the effects will be monitored;
- establish a form of consultation and coordination with the province and relevant authorities;
- engage in dialogue with residents affected by the expansion of shooting activities and investigate what measures the Ministry of Defence can take to reduce noise pollution.
Space for Defence
In December 2025, the cabinet adopted the National Programme for Space for Defence (NPRD). This programme outlines the planned defence activities per province.
The expansion of environmental and noise space in the permit and the expansion of helicopter firing options are two of the nine requirements from the NPRD that required additional research.