Electronic defence

The electromagnetic spectrum is an invisible but decisive domain.

Electronic Warfare is about the effective use of this domain. It is a continuous cat‑and‑mouse game that is evolving rapidly in modern conflicts. Military and national security operations also depend on the spectrum: for communication and coordination of own forces, and to detect, influence or deny its use by adversaries.

The Electronic Warfare department supports partners in the security domain with state‑of‑the‑art knowledge, technology and analysis. Together, we develop solutions that enable the Netherlands to operate safely, effectively and decisively within the electromagnetic spectrum.

Communications Electronic Warfare: Whoever controls communication determines the tempo of the operation.

Wireless technology is developing at a rapid pace — from 5G and 6G to satellite communications, Wi‑Fi and advanced military data links. These systems form the foundation of our digital society as well as of modern operations. At the same time, adversaries use the same technologies, for example to control drones or improvised explosive devices. Insight into the use of communication systems is therefore essential.

We develop knowledge and technologies to protect our own communication systems, to maintain control over our RF emissions, and to detect and influence those of an adversary.

Radar Electronic Warfare: Seeing without being seen.

Radar systems have been a crucial factor in military operations for decades. Radar Electronic Warfare enhances our own situational awareness while limiting that of the adversary. By detecting, identifying, classifying and locating radar systems, insight is gained into the operational environment. Through jamming and deception, it becomes more difficult for adversaries to build a reliable picture of their surroundings and to deploy weapon systems effectively.

Passive radar technology also plays a role in this, enabling objects to be detected without transmitting signals.

Electromagnetic Environmental Effects (E3): Protect what works. Disrupt what threatens.

Virtually all modern systems depend on electronics. Electromagnetic fields can interfere with or disrupt their operation.

We work on protecting systems against electromagnetic effects, optimising the integration of antenna systems, and the targeted use of electromagnetic energy to disrupt hostile electronics, for example through High Power Electromagnetics.

Control of electromagnetic effects is therefore a prerequisite for robust operations.

Frequency Management: Control of frequencies means control of operational power.

The radio‑frequency part of the electromagnetic spectrum is of strategic importance. The increasing deployment of (semi‑)autonomous systems in both military and civilian applications puts additional pressure on this scarce resource. Effective operations require careful coordination of spectrum use, the prevention of interference and the management of simultaneous effects.

We support planning, analysis and strategic decision‑making related to spectrum allocation and use.

Applications: From data to insight, from signal to countermeasure.

Drones play an increasingly important role in both military operations and the civilian security domain. The department develops detection and countermeasures via the electromagnetic spectrum to identify, classify and locate unmanned systems and, where necessary, disrupt them.

We also support the Netherlands Armed Forces in countering improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and landmines. Together with other parts of TNO, we develop detection technologies and countermeasures, often in an international context. This includes, among other things, the use of drones for IED detection and technologies for detecting body‑borne explosives.