In order to increase our national security, educational and knowledge institutions and the Ministry of Defence must work together more and more closely. This is the conclusion of the Advisory Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (AWTI) in its new advisory report: ‘Knowledge offensive for defence – Research and innovation for a safe Netherlands’. The AWTI advises to mobilise knowledge as broadly as possible around defence research and innovation. The advice was presented to the State Secretary of Defence, Gijs Tuinman, on 15 October 2024.
Photo: ©Awti Foto Bas Kijzers
National guideline for defence-related research
The AWTI concludes that more cooperation between educational and knowledge institutions and Defence offers many opportunities. The AWTI recommends a dialogue between the higher professional education/university institutions and Defence to shape sustainable cooperation in the field of research. This can be done by first organising the discussion within a knowledge institution about possible participation in defence-related research. Knowledge institutions can then explore the necessary preconditions together with Defence. These types of mutual agreements can be laid down in a national guideline.
In addition, the AWTI recommends stimulating public-private partnerships and facilitating the entry of smaller innovative parties into the defence market. Furthermore, the AWTI notes that Defence can better organise and strengthen the scouting of fundamental scientific research and of civil developments with defence potential.
