Connection between innovation and safety
Defense & technology
In the coming years, Defense will invest approximately 4 billion euros in innovation and technology. The Ministry of Defence is therefore fully committed to innovation, collaboration with the business community, and strengthening its technological capabilities. This offers ample opportunities for technology companies.
FHI connects its members with Defense and with relevant initiatives, so that innovations find their way into practice more quickly.
Investing in innovation and technology
Defense investments are aimed at future-proofing the organization and increasing operational deployability. Technology plays a central role in this. The focus is on, among other things:
- digitalization and IT infrastructure
- cybersecurity and information security
- sensors, systems and data analysis
- AI, software and autonomous applications
- high-tech manufacturing industry and dual-use technologies
These developments require collaboration with technology companies that can provide solutions or contribute ideas about innovation.
The role of FHI
FHI supports members in building connections within the defense domain. We do this by:
- Linking Defense's questions and needs to solutions from our members.
- To contribute innovations from our members that fit current and future defense issues.
In this way we ensure that opportunities become concrete and applicable.
FHI is a member of MKB-Netherlands and a member of the Executive Board. Through this network, we also connect with other entrepreneurs and initiatives active in the Defense sector. This strengthens collaboration and expands our members' reach.
Understanding the strength of our members
In order to be able to connect in a targeted manner, FHI conducts a survey among its membersWith this we map:
- which members are already active for Defense
- which members have the ambition to work with Defense
- with which products, services and technologies FHI members strengthen or can strengthen Defense
These insights form the basis for targeted matchmaking and new initiatives.
Meetings and knowledge sharing
FHI will be around Defense meetings and presentations We also share relevant external meetings and initiatives. This keeps members well-informed and fosters new collaborations.
Other clusters and initiatives
Several regional and national clusters and initiatives exist within the Defense Department. These networks promote collaboration, knowledge sharing, and market access. Examples include:
Initiative launched by the Netherlands in Ukraine to support Dutch defense companies in supplying technology and expertise to Ukraine.
MINDbase (Military Innovation by Doing) is the Ministry of Defence's innovation centre that collaborates with technology companies, startups and knowledge institutions to more quickly identify and implement new, dual-use technologies for the armed forces.
The Deep Tech Defence Alliance (DTDA) is a Dutch-European collaboration that unites innovative tech companies (start-ups, scale-ups) to strengthen the Dutch and European defence industry, increase defence exports and bring technology from the lab to the battlefield faster, with a focus on AI, Quantum, Autonomous systems, sensors and advanced materials.
The SME Defense Call is a funding program that challenges innovative Dutch SMEs to collaborate with research organizations on high-tech innovations with both civil and military (dual-use) applications.
- Various initiatives from regional ROMs (Regional Development Company) and BOMB (Brabant Development Agency).
These initiatives bring together companies, knowledge institutions and governments around defense-related technology and innovation.
To ask?
Please contact Marc Berkouwer.
Nederlands