KIVI sent a formation letter to informateur Tjeenk Willink in April 2021. This formation letter covered a wide range of topics, including Defence.

Download the defence paragraph Read the full formation letter
About Defence, this letter states the following:

Defence

Security and stability of our country and the world is essential for a healthy and sustainable economy. However, the world around us is becoming increasingly unsafe. Threats to our prosperity are slowly building up and the risks are increasing. The importance of good Defence is increasing. Technology is a decisive factor here. Indeed, more than 50% of the budget is spent on equipment, 20-30% on investments and 2% on R&D.

1. Prepare the Netherlands for intensified European cooperation. Retain companies of vital importance to the Netherlands and encourage companies that can excel in Europe.
Various national and international developments suggest that European cooperation will increase in the coming years. Outgoing minister Bijleveld's Defence Vision 2035 also recognises this. The pursuit of European strategic autonomy and the European Defence Fund (EDF) are examples. A trend towards task specialisation and joint defence projects is emerging. The Netherlands should prepare for this.
The European perspective of defence companies should be one of the parameters in this. Technology areas in which the Netherlands can excel are artificial intelligence, big-data analysis, quantum technology, connected training and simulation, robotics.However, this should not be at the expense of companies that are vital in crisis conditions.
The Defence Industry Strategy (DIS) must be adapted to this new reality.

2. Reduce the pressure on the budget through a more economically effective form of financing for investments. Use knowledge from the financial sector to do so.
A new coalition agreement will put pressure on the budget due to the effects of the corona crisis. Necessary investments for Defence will be even more compromised as a result, while maintenance, supply and personnel costs will also continue to be severely lacking. Defence now pays large investments in cash on delivery. This is unusual in the economy. Pension funds and local governments see opportunities to make large defence investments more financially and economically efficient. Without compromising military interests. This can be read in the FD's Fund News of 4 February 2021, among others. Implement the Oct 30, 2019 Belhaj motion using financial sector knowledge and commit to pay as you go.

3. Maintain the self-creating ability and vital military-technical knowledge of Dutch naval construction. Also for submarines
The replacement of the submarines is the biggest project the Ministry of Defence has to decide on next year. The investment amount is around EUR 3.5 billion and there are major international interests. The military-technical knowledge required for this construction is of great importance for national security and has economic advantages in future European cooperation and exports.
A tender procedure is currently under way with three parties. While the must have a significant part of the work carried out in the Netherlands, the military-technical content differs greatly from subcontracting to system design.
Since the delivery of the first submarine at De Schelde in 1906, TNO, MARIN and the Royal Netherlands Navy, together with industry, have built up 115 years of knowledge and experience in weapon system technology and system integration. This knowledge is undisputedly unique in the world and vital for effective deployment of Dutch submarines.
We wrote about this earlier and MPs Stoffer and Van Helvert tabled motions on this subject which were adopted by a large majority. Please implement these motions.

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The Hague, 7 April 2021
More information on the Politics and Defence Technology working group can be found via this link.
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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.
As part of the professional association KIVI, the working group is independent of political parties, governments and companies.
This is not an official position of KIVI. The association accepts no liability for anything put forward by the working group or its members.

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