On Thursday 11 June 2026, Unmanned Valley will focus on the future of safety and unmanned systems during Detect & Protect III: Safety & Security.

This event brings together professionals from the security, technology and drone industries around one central challenge: how do we protect critical infrastructure in a world where drones and autonomous systems are becoming increasingly decisive?

Plenary insights, interaction & live demonstrations

Detect & Protect III is a high-level summit where various formats come together:

• inspiring plenary sessions with leading experts

• interactive break-out sessions on practical cases and future scenarios

• live demonstrations of detection and counter-drone technology in realistic settings

• extensive networking opportunities with professionals from government, industry and knowledge institutions

Live demonstrations 

A key part of the programme is the live demos in which detection and protection technologies are shown in realistic situations. Visitors will gain direct insight into how counter-drone solutions function in an operational context.

Flexible participation

New this year: in addition to full-day tickets, half-day tickets are also available. This allows visitors to choose for themselves which parts of the programme are most relevant to them.

Programme

Doors open: 9:00-9:30

Plenary 9:30-10:15

9:30-9:35: Welcome – Theo de Vries, Director of Unmanned Valley

Topics:

• Collaboration in air and missile defence and strengthening partnerships

• Innovative project on technological cooperation and resilience

• Connecting deep-tech innovation with defence and international cooperation

Speakers:

• Brigadier General Peter Gielen – Ministry of Defence

• Dick Bouwhuis – Senior Policy Officer Unmanned Aviation – Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, DGLM

• Willem-Jan van Loon – Board Member Deep Tech Defence Alliance

Breakouts 10:30-11:15

Topics:

• Threat detection in complex logistical environments

• Acoustic detection technology for threat signaling

• Counter-drone solutions and applications

Speakers:

• Stephan van Vuren – Airhub

• Klaas-Jan Kakebeek – Beephonix

• Marco Xausa – Scaled Autonomy

• Ronald Oostveen – H18

Breakouts 11:30-12:15

Topics:

• Combining sensors for a more complete threat picture

• Innovations in detection, protection and operational safety

• Radar-based detection of objects in complex environments

• Autonomous and affordable defence solutions

Speakers:

• Luc de Vlieger, Stijn Burm – SenHive

• Patrick Keyser – TNO

• Ralph Wiersma – Robin Radar

• Daniël Kogan – Estel Industries

• Yura Kriachko – Dremian

Plenary 13:15-13:30

Topic:

• Network-oriented approach to scaling resilience in the built environment.

Speaker:

• Christophe van der Maat – Acceleration Network for Resilience of the Physical Living Environment

Breakouts 13:35-14:25

Topics:

• Securing locations with integrated detection and warning systems

• Digital ethics and legal frameworks for emerging technologies

• Drone protection on a large scale: why integrated systems matter

Speakers:

• Roel van de Wal – Drone Flight Academy

• Eugene de Geus and Patrick Vermeulen – Trigion

• Niek van Antwerpen – The Hague University of Applied Sciences

• Leonid Pavlov – Emergent Swarm Solutions

Plenary 14:40-16:45

Topics:

• Legal and ethical frameworks surrounding AI, privacy and unmanned systems

• Airspace protection with drones and detection systems in urban environments

• Panel discussion: collaboration between government, defence, industry and knowledge institutions

• Networking reception, demonstrations and an interactive simulation environment

Speakers:

• Roeland de Bruin and Eduard Lievens – Kienhuis Legal

• Jochum Buchener – Municipality of The Hague

The detailed programme will follow shortly.

🎟️ Tickets – Click here: Eventbrite – Detect & Protect III tickets

Unmanned Valley Address:

Marinevliegkamp 356
2236 ZZ  Valkenburg (ZH)
The Netherlands

For navigation: 1e Mientlaan
2236 ZZ  Katwijk.