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Strengthening security and strategic autonomy 

Defence & Dual-use Technology

<h2>Ambition for 2030</h2><p>By 2030, the eastern Netherlands will be the ‘engine room of Defence’, a leading development and testing region for dual-use and defence technology within Europe.&nbsp;</p><h2>Why invest in&nbsp;Defence &amp; Dual-use Technology&nbsp;</h2><p>The security situation in Europe is changing and the demand for high-quality technology for defence and civil security is growing. At the same time, Europe wants to be less dependent on foreign technology.&nbsp;</p><p>The aim is to link this transition to the existing high-tech ecosystem in the eastern Netherlands, thereby connecting companies, the Ministry of Defence and European partners to joint development agendas.</p><h2>This is how we are realising our ambition</h2><p>With Defence &amp; Dual Use Technology, we are building on the region's strong high-tech and manufacturing industry and developing solutions that can be used for both civilian and military applications. With dual-use innovations and co-creation with SMEs, knowledge institutions and the Ministry of Defence, we are strengthening the strategic autonomy of the Netherlands and Europe and creating new economic opportunities for the eastern Netherlands. Cross-border cooperation, including with Germany, increases the scale and impact of projects.</p><p>The Defence &amp; Dual Use Technology ecosystem that will develop and strengthen in the eastern Netherlands in the coming years consists of knowledge institutions, governments and companies in all sectors. The greatest cross-sectoral strength for new dual-use opportunities lies in the link with Digital Industry &amp; Technology, Smart Energy and MedTech &amp; Prevention. Examples include autonomous systems &amp; unmanned technology, such as the East Netherlands Anti-Drone Test Site, or virtual environments for security, logistics and asset management, such as the Digital Twin for Infrastructure Security for the protection of energy, water and transport networks.<br><br>&nbsp;</p>