In the face of growing security threats in Europe, the Dutch cabinet has presented a new strategy to strengthen national defense. The aim is to expand the defense industry and make the armed forces fit for the future.
This was announced today by Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans and State Secretary Gijs Tuinman to the Second Chamber.
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Tailwind for defense and innovation
As part of the 2024 defense agenda, the government is providing 1.15 billion euros for the expansion of the defense industry. 310 million euros are to be invested in the current year. Among other things, this will flow into the action program for unmanned systems and projects to scale up military innovations.
Part of the budget will also be used to increase the Security Fund (SecFund) and existing financing instruments of the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
Russian threat as a new reality
The growing threat from Russia “represents a turning point in security policy”, according to a recent press release from the Ministry of Defense. The Netherlands therefore sees itself as “obliged to make its contribution to collective defense within the framework of NATO increase”. This requires increased industrial capacities and technological innovations. The new strategy is intended to ensure that the Netherlands and its partners remain capable of defending themselves in a changing world.
In order to increase the competitiveness of the Dutch defense industry, the government wants to make targeted investments in expertise, research and industrial scaling. The focus is on five technological priorities:
- intelligent materials,
- Sensor technology,
- Quantum research,
- Space technology,
- autonomous systems.
Concrete projects: Underwater robots and shipbuilding automation
The first measures to be implemented include cooperation agreements with Lobster Robotics and De Haas Shipyards. State Secretary Tuinman signed the agreements as part of the strategy event.
In the project with Lobster Robotics, the underwater robot Scout – a system equipped with optical sensors for inspecting critical underwater infrastructure – is being made ready for use.
With De Haas Shipyards, the Ministries of Defense and Economic Affairs are examining the acquisition of a laser robot. The aim is to jointly develop automation and robotics solutions for military shipbuilding.
The strategy emphasizes the importance of close cooperation between government, industry, research institutions and other partners. In order to make progress measurable, an annual action agenda with specific objectives is to be published.
Most recently, the Dutch Ministry of Defense had already announced support for companies that switch their production to defense equipment.
