News item | 13-05-2022 | 15:15
For decades there was not enough money for Defense real estate. As a result, many staff work and sleep in buildings that are in poor condition. With a view to the continued development of the armed forces and in light of the current international threats, radical choices are required to make real estate future-proof. That is why State Secretary Van der Maat has sent the outlines and principles of the new Strategic Real Estate Plan 2022 (SVP 2022) to the House of Representatives.
The SVP 2022 should be ready around the summer. The plan sets out how Defense will concentrate, make sustainable and renew its real estate over the next 10 to 15 years. As a good employer, Defense wants to offer a modern and safe working and living environment in the right place, with an eye for the family life of the staff. By (regional) concentrating and bringing units together, it is easier for them to practice together. This improves operational readiness.
Why are we doing this and what is our goal?
The new real estate plan is necessary for 4 reasons:
- The current Defense real estate is fragmented, outdated, inefficient and hinders readiness and operational management. The future armed forces must offer a higher operational deployability, and modernization of our real estate is a precondition for this.
- Good, modern and safe real estate is an important precondition for being an attractive employer. It must be in the right location, with an eye for the family life of our people.
- The real estate is currently insufficiently sustainable. We want to reduce our dependence on natural gas and reduce CO2 emissions.
- The maintenance backlogs are so great that the budget and size of the property are out of balance. The maintenance budget is now mainly used for urgent matters. Without measures, the maintenance costs and thus the imbalance will only increase.
The aim is to arrive at a real estate portfolio that optimally supports the range of tasks, contributes to the work experience and is (financially) future-proof. In addition, the real estate must be sustainable and ensure greater connection with society and the region. For example, through closer cooperation with local educational institutions and companies.
What do we take into account?
The Defense organization is currently exploring how regional concentration can contribute to the objective of achieving a future-proof real estate portfolio. In doing so, Defense uses a series of principles in the field of both ourselves and our environment.
- Concentration of units and expertise; by practicing together we increase our operational readiness.
- Concentration in the right place with modern buildings; we want to be an attractive employer for current and new staff.
- Maintain exercise and training opportunities and permit space.
- A real estate portfolio that is sustainable and financially sustainable.
- Connecting with social issues such as housing, nitrogen reduction, spatial planning, climate objectives, energy transition, greening and social relief.
- Making ourselves strong for regional employment and/or economic activity.
- Defense invites regions to contribute ideas to solutions.
Next steps
Defense has almost 10,000 buildings in the Netherlands spread over more than 350 locations. It is clear that transforming the real estate portfolio is not a ‘big bang’, but a phased and complex process. No decisions have yet been taken, but where possible, the Defense organization wants to make progress. That is why Defense and the Central Government Real Estate Agency will be in talks with various regions in the coming period to come up with detailed plans. For example for:
- Concentration 11 Airmobile Brigade. The current location in Schaarsbergen is very outdated, fragmented and has insufficient development space. In combination with Deelen Air Base, this is a strategic location that lends itself to concentrating the units in Schaarsbergen.
- Concentration Corps Commando Troops. A solution is being sought in the Roosendaal/Rucphen region for the future development of the Commando Troops Corps. The new shooting facility to be built in Ossendrecht will also be involved in this.
- Concentration units Assen and Havelte. At the moment, the barracks in Havelte seem to be a suitable concentration location for the units that are now located in Assen and Havelte. The aim is to maintain employment in the region.
- Concentration of support units. At various locations in the country, the possibility of building a new barracks where various support units can be brought together is being looked into.