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

Unmanned Valley: the logical home base for this step

The signing took place at the heart of Dutch drone and aviation innovation: Unmanned Valley, situated at the former Valkenburg naval air base. Here, companies, government bodies, 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. Furthermore, with its strong aerospace activities, Zuid-Holland provides the ideal testing ground for this next step in aviation development.

Meindert Stolk, Regional Minister for Economy and Innovation: "This test area brings together innovation, the economy, and defence. It strengthens our position as a frontrunner in aviation technology while offering opportunities for employment and knowledge development."

What is BVLOS flying and why is it so important?

BVLOS flights, where drones fly beyond the pilot's line of sight, make it possible to conduct operations over longer distances, for longer durations, and more efficiently. Examples include:

• Inspections of wind turbines, dykes, and (critical) infrastructure

• Taking samples from ship cargoes (bulk sampling)

• Securing hard-to-reach locations (such as port areas)

• Air transport of high-value/critical parts to vessels, for example

• Military operations

This technology can make our society safer, more sustainable, and more efficient. However, before BVLOS flights can be widely deployed, thorough testing in designated airspace is essential. The test area makes it possible to test under controlled conditions and further develop BVLOS flight operations.

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

Robert Tieman, Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management: "Drones are a wonderful innovation from which we are already benefiting greatly, but this is really only the beginning. When drones can fly beyond the operator's line of sight, they can deliver even more for us. 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 over the North Sea, somewhere between Katwijk and the Port of Rotterdam, as the preferred area for BVLOS flights. The goal: to make this area operational for testing as quickly as possible. The Province of Zuid-Holland is taking the lead in the airspace amendment procedure required for this. It is working closely with experts from MovingDot, AirHub, To70, and the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR). This alliance marks a powerful collaboration between central government, the 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 to our security. With this test area, we are investing in that digital combat power and accelerating the development of drones and counter-drone systems. This makes our armed forces stronger, our society safer, and contributes directly to Ukraine's freedom."

Expectation: first test flights from late 2026

We expect the BVLOS test area to be officially commissioned by late 2026. By then, clear agreements will have been made and procedures established to ensure safe flight operations for both drones and conventional aircraft. The insights gained from the test area will form the basis for new national regulations for BVLOS flights.