Netherlands Defense Ministry Partners with Regional Companies to Fast-Track Military Innovation
The Hague, Saturday, 27 December 2025.
The Dutch Defense Ministry signed agreements with regional development companies to accelerate military technology innovation, focusing on dual-use technologies applicable to both civilian and military sectors. This national collaboration leverages regional innovation ecosystems, particularly in areas like AI, drones, and digital security, to strengthen technological resilience while creating economic opportunities for local entrepreneurs and enhancing defense capabilities.
Strategic Partnership Formalized in November
State Secretary of Defense Gijs Tuinman formalized partnerships with regional development companies through a Letter of Intent signed in November 2025 [1][2]. The collaboration targets specific regions including East and Central Netherlands, North Holland, and Zeeland, with similar agreements previously established in South Holland, Limburg, and North Brabant [1]. For North Holland specifically, the signing ceremony included Esther Rommel, deputy of the Province of North Holland, Niels Blij representing Avy as chairman of the Defense Innovation Steering Group North Holland, Bart Sattler as regional ambassador for North-West from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and Janet Nieboer, CEO of ROM InWest [1][2]. The official signing took place during the Purple Nectar Event 2025 in Nijkerk, an annual knowledge and innovation event organized by Defense focusing on the latest technological developments for a flexible and future-ready armed forces [1].
Dual-Use Technologies Drive Economic and Defense Value
The partnership emphasizes dual-use technologies that serve both civilian and military applications, aligning with the Defense Ministry’s substantial investment ambitions in innovation [1]. These technologies not only contribute to Netherlands’ security and resilience but also strengthen the future earning capacity of participating regions [1]. For North Holland, this collaboration opens significant opportunities for entrepreneurs working on innovative technologies, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence, drones, and digital security [1]. Janet Nieboer, CEO of ROM InWest, highlighted that the region possesses a strong and innovative ecosystem with companies active in these strategic technology areas, positioning them to capitalize on the enhanced opportunities for success and accelerated application of dual-use technology for a resilient society [1]. The partnership establishes a Regional Defense Team to accelerate the exchange of innovation questions and solutions between the Ministry of Defense and North Holland entrepreneurs [2].
Government’s Broader Innovation Strategy Takes Shape
The defense innovation partnerships coincide with significant government initiatives across multiple sectors. In September 2025, Defense and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency strengthened their collaboration, demonstrating a coordinated approach to innovation support [3]. The government has also announced substantial funding commitments, including over €414 million available for energy innovation as of January 2025 [3]. Additionally, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency reported that better support for innovative businesses is being achieved through cooperation between RVO and regional development companies (ROMs), indicating a systematic approach to fostering technological advancement across the country [3]. This multi-faceted strategy reflects the government’s recognition that innovation requires coordinated efforts across different agencies and regional stakeholders to maximize impact and efficiency.
MedTech Sector Demonstrates Innovation Investment Model
The defense innovation approach mirrors ambitious plans in other high-tech sectors, particularly medical technology, where the Netherlands aims to become a European leader by 2035 [4]. The MedTech sector’s investment strategy calls for €5-5.5 billion over 10 years through public-private capital, demonstrating the scale of funding required for transformative innovation initiatives [4]. This sector targets the creation of over 11,000 new jobs and over €5 billion in annual export value, showing how strategic technology investments can deliver both economic and strategic benefits [4]. The MedTech plan emphasizes three flagship projects including regional command centers, AI and robot-assisted image-guided therapies, and autonomous MRI systems, illustrating the type of concrete innovation outcomes that public-private partnerships can achieve [4]. Defense Secretary Tuinman has also emphasized the practical impact of such collaborations, noting during a recent visit to Demcon how reliable equipment directly supports military needs, from compact power generators tested in Norwegian conditions to autonomous platforms that reduce risk while increasing operational effectiveness [5].