Partners for a safe Netherlands in talks with Defense

Today, industry professionals spoke with defense experts about innovation for security in the coming years during the Symposium Innovation and Research for Defense in the Frederikskazerne in The Hague. The use of extra resources, as announced in the letter to the House of Representatives on the Implementation Agenda for Innovation and Research from the Ministry of Defence, will enable more companies to get to work in this essential sector.

The topical topics covered today are Defense Technology Development Strategy and Innovation Centers by Col. Michel de Rivecourt and Col. Ralf Goossens, examples of innovation in Maritime High Tech and Dutch Naval Design by Michel Janssen, Laser satellite communication, the possibilities that Public Private Partnerships offer by Leo Warmerdam, the forms of financing via the Netherlands Enterprise Agency by Mijke Vriens and last but not least the focus of the revised Safety Knowledge and Innovation Agenda from 2024 by Maarten Tossings.

Christophe van der Maat, Secretary of State for Defence, underlined the urgency of innovation during his presence. The world around us is becoming increasingly complex, with more conflicts and technological rivalries. This requires a different, more innovative approach. Collaborating with the business community is essential in this, says State Secretary van der Maat. Making choices, especially at European level, is also necessary to be able to innovate successfully. Then we the Netherlands can make maximum use of our 'most added value' in Europe. The State Secretary made plenty of room for questions from the audience, resulting in a good deepening of the discussion. He also asked for understanding. Defense has only been making a turnaround for 15 months, from contraction to growth. A good cover takes time. In 15 months we will notice that difference more strongly.

The afternoon was concluded by an animated panel discussion chaired by Hans Huigen (Director NIDV), Maarten Tossings (Board of Directors, TNO & Theme Team, KIA Security), Gerben Edelijn (CEO, Thales Nederland BV), Arnout de Jong (CEO, Delft Dynamics BV) and Auke Venema (Head of Knowledge & Innovation, Ministry of Defence).