The production of ground robotic systems (GRS), drones and military batteries has been officially launched in the Dutch city of Born. The project is being implemented at the production facilities of the VDL company in cooperation with three enterprises: Milrem Robotics (GRS), Tulip Tech (military batteries) and DeltaQuad (drones). This is reported by Ukrinform with reference to Defensemirror.
Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans signed the agreements with the companies, stressing that the launch of production is a response to the need to quickly build up defense capabilities in Europe against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine. According to him, the new production lines will simultaneously strengthen the defense capabilities of the Netherlands and provide support to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The project has become one of the fastest in the country's defense industry: the first lines were launched in a few months, while this process usually takes years. The Ministry of Defense leased 120,000 square meters of production space, which made it possible to start work quickly. Even former VDL employees are joining the program, returning to support production.
The partnership between the Ministry of Defense and VDL is designed to last at least ten years. Additional production lines are planned to be opened in the coming months. This step is of strategic importance for the Netherlands, as it allows it to reduce its dependence on foreign suppliers and increase its own autonomy in the field of defense technology.
Unmanned systems, drones, and energy solutions produced in Born will be used by both the Dutch army and transferred to Ukraine to strengthen its defense capabilities in the war against Russia.
It was previously reported that within the framework of the "Drone Line" initiative, the Netherlands signed contracts for the production of 600,000 Ukrainian drones. According to preliminary data, the ordered UAVs will be delivered to the Ukrainian Defense Forces by the end of this year.
By the way, Milrem Robotics, which cooperates with VDL, will deliver more than 150 THeMIS ground robotic complexes to Ukraine. The supply of these NRCs is financed and coordinated by the Netherlands.