The Dutch Defence Sector on the Way towards a European Defence Market

摘要

Geopolitical relations are hardening, and threats are increasing in number, variety and complexity, according to the Netherlands' Ministry of Defence "Defence Vision 2035" paper, published in 2019. That is why the Dutch government is committed to a strengthened Europe becoming an independent geopolitical player. NATO remains the cornerstone of Dutch security policy and one of the instruments to achieve this is participation in the European Defence Fund (EDF), for which the EU is making €7Bn available for the period 2021-2027. With the EDF, the European Commission intends to strengthen the existing defence capabilities in Europe with the aim of encouraging Member States and companies to increase cooperation in the field of research and development and in the acquisition of new defence capabilities. Additionally, the EC wants to strengthen the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (DTIB) through the EDF. Until now, the European DTIB has been formed by relatively closed value chains. There is no level playing field since no open defence market exists in Europe. Not only do Member States want to keep sovereign control over the deployment and equipment of their troops for national security reasons, but they also want to protect their national value production chains. This has become particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dutch security and de- fence policy remain matters of national concern within the European and transatlantic context. This article looks at five strategic recommendations regarding the successful development of the Dutch defence sector en route to the European market. First, we will examine the Dutch approach to the EDF and national instruments.