The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has announced the successful neutralisation of multiple unauthorised drones during a recent NATO summit in The Hague, which took place between 24 and 25 June 2025. This operation underscored the critical role of Dstl’s SAPIENT open standard in facilitating coordinated international defence responses to evolving aerial threats.
The SAPIENT standard, formally recognised as BSI Flex 335, enabled Dutch military forces to effectively intercept the unauthorised drones. This standard is foundational to a forthcoming NATO counter-drone messaging standard and was instrumental in ensuring seamless interoperability between diverse defence systems, thereby providing essential protection for summit delegates and the public.
Dstl has invested significantly in research and development to create autonomous networked sensor and effector systems. These systems are designed to operate at machine speed, enabling rapid threat detection, autonomous situational awareness, and enhanced defensive capabilities. The adoption of the SAPIENT standard by international allies is recognised as a key factor in maximising the effectiveness and interoperability of global drone operations.
This event represents one of the initial public deployments of the SAPIENT standard in an active operational environment within the Netherlands. It serves as a tangible example of the increasing international acceptance of British open standards within NATO’s security frameworks. The success at the NATO summit highlights the ongoing contribution of UK defence science and technology to international security, with British innovation directly enhancing the safety of high-profile diplomatic events and global leaders.
Dstl’s Chief Executive, Dr Paul Hollinshead, stated that the deployment of the SAPIENT standard at the NATO summit exemplifies the organisation’s mission to deliver advanced science and technology solutions that protect the UK and its international partners. He emphasised that this operational success demonstrates the value of an open standards approach in enabling critical, seamless coordination between the defence systems of different nations, a capability of paramount importance given the increasingly complex and transnational nature of modern security threats.
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Post written by: Vicky Maggiani
Vicky has worked in media for over 25 years and has a wealth of experience in editing and creating copy for a variety of sectors.
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