Suggestions for the informateur and parliamentary groups
The Netherlands needs to strengthen its resilience within a more strategically autonomous Europe. This deteriorating security situation calls for integral acceleration of innovation, personnel growth, industrial scale-up and European cooperation. To make this possible, a solid increase in economic growth is necessary, including in the defence sector. With a directing role of the government and mutual trust as a starting point, a sustainable partnership between Defence and industry can emerge. This will enable the Netherlands to grow into a relevant player in a secure and technologically advanced Europe.
These principles lead to the following policy suggestions:
1. Accelerate technological innovation for Defence through strong regional and European clusters
Give Defence a governing role to develop national innovation clusters for public-private partnerships that can compete on a European scale. Place development tasks in parallel with multiple companies or consortia and choose the best solutions for rapid scale-up to production.
Launch new research programmes focusing on "European Strategic enablers", including alternatives to fossil fuels and to rare raw materials.
This requires targeted development and intensification of technical sciences and knowledge of production processes for Defence technology, continuous learning lines from MBO to university, rapid licensing and funding. This will also increase mutual engagement between society and Defence.
2. Focus funding streams on growth and scale-up of the Dutch defence and security industry
Eliminate existing barriers so that pension funds, banks and institutional investors can finance defence-related innovation and production. Limit or abolish the requirement for bank guarantees on down payments and place investment and development risks with the party that can reasonably bear them. This could include Defence. This enables stable production scaling up by companies, but requires, among other things, multi-year budgetary commitments and parliamentary support. Establish strategic stocks for Defence of raw materials and semi-finished products for fast and agile scalability. After all, tomorrow's technology is different from today's.
3. Invest structurally in personnel and make the armed forces more attractive
Rapid growth towards 2030 and 2050 requires broad societal inflow and substantial personnel expansion. Speed up the admission process and reconsider instructor qualification requirements within Defence. Reconsider physical entry requirements for certain positions. This will better enable utilisation of capabilities and expertise of women, among others, within Defence. Facilitate mobility between Defence and industry for knowledge exchange and career perspectives. Focus on staff retention.
4. Strengthen European cooperation and European strategic autonomy
Support a more integrated European defence structure with joint capability development and production of interoperable weapon systems. Connect with the European Commission's policy development and realise an active Dutch input in European decision-making on defence-industrial policy. A balanced European division of labour requires retention and creation of Dutch original equipment manufacturers (OEM), such as shipbuilding, radar technology, drones and other autonomous systems. These are crucial for international influence as well as operational independence. Therefore, distance yourself from the policy that the Dutch defence industry should only act as a supplier to foreign industry.
5. Expand vital infrastructure monitoring with active defence
Increased threats call for immediate strengthening of North Sea security (energy, communication, cables and pipelines) and critical infrastructure on land (ports, airports, rail, industry). Rapid innovation and scaling up of sensors, munitions, anti-drone systems and air and missile defences are necessary.
Also adapt legislation or structure to enable active intervention: give police capabilities or allow Defence to intervene.
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The Hague, 23 December 2025
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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: Lower House
