As the offshore sector and the aviation industry are changing, the municipality of Den Helder, the province of North Holland, and the Ministry of Defense are working together with various stakeholders on a future-proof plan for the airport’s continued development. This includes space for new hangars, sustainable fuels, and innovative development and manufacturing companies.
Maritime drones
An important new step is the joint development of maritime drones: clean, smart aircraft that contribute to safety, monitoring, and maintenance at sea. With this, Den Helder Airport is emerging as a testing ground for the aviation of the future and a driving force within the maritime cluster.
Development Forums: Where Supply and Demand Meet
To effectively shape this development, the first development roundtable was launched on December 3, 2025. This meeting brought together government agencies, businesses, research institutions, and aviation and safety organizations. The development forum is the place where supply and demand, needs, and expertise converge. In this way, the parties are working together to strengthen the civil-military ecosystem surrounding De Kooy Naval Air Station and Den Helder Airport.
The goal of the first meeting was to identify opportunities and ideas, as well as to align innovations, education, and market initiatives with the needs of both civilian users and the Department of Defense. This step serves as the starting point for further development in 2026.
The next development meeting is scheduled for March 25, 2026.
For more information, please contact Reinier Kalt (rkalt@dietz.nl).
- Input for the first development workshop on December 3, 2025
- Vision for the Future & Presentation by Councilmember F. Camara and Program Manager H. Hiemstra.
- Woensdrecht Air Base Ecosystem
- METIP Presentation by Paul Verbruggen
- Photo Gallery: First Development Table
- A Look Back at the First Development Workshop
