The "Politics and Defence & Security Engineering" working group analyses current political developments in the defence sector. It provides facts and interpretation from engineers' technological knowledge and experience.
The Politics and Defence Engineering Working Group has the following comments and questions on the Defence Budget 2018. These have been prepared based on publicly available documents and defence technology knowledge and experience. The comments and questions concern technological or related aspects only.
Download the Defence Budget
Page 9, innovation
This page describes the importance of innovation and plans the minister has for it. The connection sought with start-ups and companies gives the impression that new products suitable for Defence will come out of such cooperation, which will then be added to Defence's capabilities. This fits with the Defence Industry Strategy (DIS), but is at odds with the actual policy of buy-from-the-shelf and procurement practices.
Defence will focus on universities, companies and start-ups to promote and embed innovation. In 2018 specifically on incubator Yes!Delft. A new innovation network has also been established. In the past, TNO played a key role in innovation for Defence and direction on innovation for the armed forces was given by the Defence Research Council RDO. The working group questions whether innovation through universities and start-ups is really effective for the large defence organisation. After all, universities mainly work on basic research (low TRL level) and it may take years before products from start-ups are available in sufficient quantities and quality.
Page 10, EU
In June 2017, the European Commission set up the European Defence Fund. Its aim is to start implementing major projects at European level through that fund in the future. The European Commission will (then) bear part of the costs (20%) and procurement will presumably take place through European institutions. Unfortunately, the budget does not (yet) indicate which major projects will be implemented through this fund.
Pages 29 to 40, expectation of achieving standards of operational readiness
In the 2017 budget, in addition to the number of units and the standard of operational readiness, each capability listed the number of units expected to be actually deployable in 2017 and the year in which the standard would be met. Budget 2018 only shows the norm, not actual planning.
Page 37, CLSK operational readiness standard
The "Norm OG" column shows the number of operationally ready units required to meet the deployability targets. For most units, this is about 1:3 or 1:2. The ratio for the F-16s is very high at 1:6.
Page 108, list of motions and commitments
The list omits the outstanding commitment of 26 March 2015 to "enter into discussions on the possibilities of a private investment fund and will inform the Chamber". See, among others, Budget 2017 page 121. Last year, several parliamentary questions were asked about this during the budget debate (nos 35, 349 and 350).
Page 115, weapon system 1, Air Defence and Command Frigates
In light of the increased tensions around the Korean Peninsula and the analysis that North Korean (nuclear) missiles could also reach and threaten Europe, it seems very important to implement a defence system in the LCF frigates in the short term. The need for this capability is (also) high on the NATO priority list.
The technical capabilities for this "Ballistic Missile Defence shooting capability" are already largely in place, but need to be completed for a relatively limited amount of money. The potential capability is technically present in Europe only in Dutch, German and Danish ships. Rapid cooperation with those countries would be a great example of European cooperation.
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The Hague, 2 October 2017
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Disclaimer: The facts and opinions given are based on open sources and on the knowledge and experience of working group members.
This is not an official position of KIVI. The association accepts no liability for anything put forward by the working group or its members.
Photo: Ministry of Defence.
