News item | 25-03-2025 | 15:20
Accelerated innovation and upscaling and a higher production of military equipment. Moreover, for sure that it will be delivered. Those are the most important goals of Defort launched today. Within this public-private platform, the Ministries of Defense and of Economic Affairs are now working together with industry, banks and knowledge institutions. This closer cooperation is a condition for a strong Dutch defense industry. That contributes to a strong armed forces.
There is war in Europe and also unrest elsewhere in the world. That is why the Ministry of Defense and the business community are preparing for a possible reinforced conflict. The Ministry of Defense focuses on defending its own and NATO territory. Permanent strengthening the armed forces is a ‘must’. This requires close collaboration with Dutch industry.
To strengthen the armed forces, a quick and long -term scaling up of military equipment is required. This requires more production, at a higher pace and a higher degree of security of delivery. Because a long -term supply of equipment and maintenance is necessary to increase the continuation of the armed forces. All this requires better coordination between the needs and possibilities of the business community and the government. Defort brings these parties together structurally.
In Defort, parties are and are involved who play an essential role in the required upscaling and delivery security. Within the platform, the parties involved make agreements about concrete projects and preconditions. The starting point is that production happens in the Netherlands as much as possible. This reinforces the strategic position in an international context. Moreover, it benefits its own economy.
Defport now starts as a partnership between Defense, Economic Affairs, the Defense industry (NIDV), VNO-NCW, the high-tech sector (FME), Dutch Association of Banking (NVB) and the knowledge institutions (TNO, NLR & Marin).