Image by Droneport Rotterdam
On the 4th and 5th of September, Droneport Rotterdam organized the first successful edition of the DroneHorizon event, focused on “Accelerating Autonomous and Unmanned Systems
in Europe’s Critical Domains”. The event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers to discuss the future of autonomous and unmanned systems and their role in ports, defense, security, and innovation. Focus was placed on four key themes throughout the program:
- Port, maritime, and subsea autonomy
- Air and space-based autonomy
- Dual-use innovation and security
- Ecosystem, policy, and strategy
European scope and practical demonstrations
DroneHorizon 2025 combined high-level discussions with practical demonstrations. The summit on 4 September focused on policy, strategy, and innovation, while the Innovation Dock on 5 September showcased technologies to a broader audience during the World Port Days. This combination highlighted both the strategic importance of autonomous systems and their practical applications in Europe’s key sectors. Aerospace Delta was proud to be a sponsor of this event which attracted 300 participants from 16 countries.
A need for collaboration
Among the diverse list of speakers was Dutch Minister of Defense Ruben Brekelmans, who stressed the value of cooperation between European ports and entrepreneurs in developing and applying drone and autonomous technologies. Furthermore, he noted the importance of drones in security and port safety, highlighting the steps the country is already taking towards the goal of accelerating the drone design and production cycle.
A strong regional ecosystem
The Zuid-Holland region plays a leading role in developments drone technology and security. Aerospace Delta brings together more than 130 companies and organizations active in drone technology, with around 600 professionals working in development, testing, manufacturing, and deployment. Each year, approximately 2,500 students are trained in drone-related disciplines. With everything put together, Zuid-Holland hosts approximately 50% of all drone-related operations in the Netherlands.
Key hotspots of innovation in the drones sector include:
- Unmanned Valley: a drone test and development center with indoor and outdoor facilities.
- Aerospace Innovation Hub at TU Delft: a start-up community supporting young drone companies, while connecting them with novel research at the university and its partners.
- DronePort Rotterdam: an innovation ecosystem for autonomous systems in Europe’s largest port.
Looking ahead
After this successful first edition in Rotterdam, the port cities of Antwerp-Bruges and Hamburg will host the next editions in 2026 and 2027. DroneHorizon 2025 successfully linked strategic discussion with practical demonstrations, highlighting how Europe can move towards wider adoption of autonomous systems. For Zuid-Holland, the event was an opportunity to showcase how its ecosystem contributes to these ambitions and helps strengthen the Netherlands’ position in this field.
The region also provides tailored support for foreign companies looking to establish or expand in the Netherlands (as can be seen in the attached flyer), contributing to the goal of collaboration and connection within the European industry. This combination of a strong innovation ecosystem and dedicated support makes Zuid-Holland an attractive base for international collaboration in drones and autonomous systems.
