VDL with the headquarters in Eindhoven is in the picture to build drones with the Swiss company Destinus. The production of unmanned fighter jets would take place in the former Nedcar factory in Born in Limburg. The Financieele Dagblad (FD) reports this on Monday evening. A VDL spokesperson ‘confirms nor denies’ the message.
The news about the production of drones by VDL came to light, after the Swiss company Destinus reported that it is negotiating with the Dutch Ministry of Defense about the delivery of the unmanned devices. These are drones that are driven by jet engines. Destinus mentions VDL as a partner company. But at VDL the jaws are kept stiff together. The Ministry of Defense was also not available for comment, according to the FD.
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The rumors that VDL wants to use the Nedcar factory for building drones have been singing around for almost a year. A spokesperson for the Destinus location in Hengelo tells the FD that the production of Strayjagerdrones with VDL has already started. Which part of VDL it would be, he leaves in the middle. That would only be known in a few weeks.
Defense has previously indicated that it wants to spend billions of euros on drones. That intention is partly inspired by the successful use of drones in the war that is raging in the Ukraine.