Valkenburg (ZH) - At Unmanned Valley, the drone test center at the former naval airbase Valkenburg, the official collaboration was signed today between the Province of South Holland, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, and the Ministry of Defence. This marks an important step towards the realization of the first permanent test area for BVLOS flights (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) in the Netherlands. This unique piece of airspace for drones will be above the North Sea, somewhere off the coast of Katwijk and Wassenaar, and is expected to be operational in over a year.

Unmanned Valley: the logical home base for this step

The signing took place in the heart of Dutch drone and aviation innovation: Unmanned Valley, located at the former naval airbase Valkenburg. Here, companies, governments, and knowledge institutions work daily on the future of unmanned technology. Unmanned Valley will serve as the take-off and landing site for the test area. Moreover, South Holland, with its strong aerospace activities, forms the ideal testing ground for this next step in aviation development.

Meindert Stolk, deputy for Economy and Innovation: This test area brings innovation, economy, and defense together. It strengthens our position as a leader in aviation technology and simultaneously offers opportunities for employment and knowledge development.

What is BVLOS flying and why is it so important?

BVLOS flights, where drones fly beyond the pilots line of sight, enable operations to be carried out over greater distances, for longer durations, and more efficiently. Think of:

  • Inspections of wind turbines, dikes, and (critical) infrastructure
  • Sampling of cargo (bulk sampling)
  • Securing hard-to-reach locations (such as a port area)
  • Air transport of high-value/critical parts to ships, for example
  • Military operations

This technology can make our society safer, more sustainable, and more efficient. However, before BVLOS flights can be widely implemented, careful testing in specially designated airspace is essential. The test area allows for testing under controlled conditions and further development of BVLOS flying.

Arne Weverling, deputy for Aviation: “With the BVLOS test area, we are taking the lead in the development of the drone industry in South Holland. From airspace security to transport, and from inspections to sampling. We are laying an important foundation for the aviation of the future.”

Robert Tieman, Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management: “Drones are a wonderful innovation from which we are already reaping many benefits, but that is actually just the beginning. When drones can fly beyond the operators line of sight, they can bring us even more. With this test area, we are taking a serious step in that direction.”

One area, one goal: making room for the drone of tomorrow

The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management has designated the airspace above the North Sea, somewhere between Katwijk and the Port of Rotterdam, as a preferred area for BVLOS flights. The goal: to make this area operational for testing as quickly as possible. The Province of South Holland is leading the airspace modification procedure that is necessary for this. Close collaboration is taking place with experts from MovingDot, AirHub, To70, and the Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR). This alliance marks a powerful collaboration between the government, region, and industry.

Gijs Tuinman, State Secretary for Defence: “Drones have fundamentally changed the battlefield. In Ukraine, we see daily how crucial this technology is for our security. With this test area, we are investing in that digital combat power and accelerating the development of drones and anti-drone systems. This makes our armed forces stronger, our society safer, and directly contributes to the freedom of Ukraine.”

Expectation: first test flights from late 2026

We expect that the BVLOS test area will officially be put into use by the end of 2026. Clear agreements and procedures will also be established to ensure safe air traffic, both for drones and for conventional aircraft. The insights gained from the test area will form the basis for new national regulations for BVLOS flying.