NATO
The Netherlands is a member of NATO. This is an intergovernmental military alliance comprised of 30 nations from North-America and Europe. The NATO organises the mutual defence and cooperation of the armed forces of Western nations. The core of the treaty is article 5. It states that an attack on one of the member nations will be treated as an attack on all of them. The Netherlands has been a member since NATO’s inception. All member nations supply military personnel and material. When these are deployed to handle crisis or conflict management, NATO assumes command of these operations.
NATO INDUSTRIAL ADVISORY GROUP
For industrial aspects of NATO, NIDV is affiliated to the NATO Industrial Advisory Group (NIAG). The NIAG was established in 1968 by the Conference of National Armaments Directors (CNAD). The CNAD in turn reports to the North Atlantic Council, NATO’s supreme body. The NIAG successfully contributes to the NATO capability development process by providing industrial advice on both technical and strategic aspects. Members of the NIAG are representatives of the National Defence Industry Associations (NDIAs) from NATO countries. For the Netherlands, the NIDV director has been designated as the NIAG’s delegation leader. Through the NIAG, access for NIDV participants to NATO projects is coordinated, as well as enthusiasm for participation in studies.
NATO SUPPORT AND PROCUREMENT AGENCY (NSPA)
The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) brings together, in a single organisation, acquisition, logistics, medical and infrastructure capabilities, operational and systems support and services to NATO countries, NATO military authorities and partner countries. As NATO’s main facilitator, NSPA’s mission is to provide effective and cost-efficient multinational solutions to the Alliance, its 30 NATO countries and partners. NSPA is a client-funded agency that operates on a “no profit – no loss” basis.
NATO COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION AGENCY (NCIA)
The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) helps NATO and its member states communicate and cooperate to fulfil their mission. NCIA is on the front line against cyber threats, protecting NATO networks 24 hours a day, seven days a week to prevent debilitating attacks. NCIA helps NATO maintain its technological edge.
NATO INNOVATION
NATO aims to shape innovation in the alliance with the Defense Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA). This initiative, supported by all 30 NATO allies, will start with some pilots from April 2023.
NATO INNOVATION FUND
22 NATO countries have established the NATO Innovation Fund with a budget of €1 billion. This venture capital fund can make strategic investments in startups developing dual-use emerging and disruptive technologies in areas critical to allies’ security. The fund will become operational from early 2023 but, like DIANA, will take some time to get up to speed. We will keep an eye on this.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES NAVO
NIDV also keeps track of business opportunities with NATO and its agencies for its supporters. Calls to participate in NIAG studies are also distributed to NIDV participants. NIDV participants are advised to do so by the weekly “Business opportunities” e-mails, which also announce upcoming needs of Defence and the Police, in advance of formal publication where appropriate.
NATO / BENELUX INDUSTRY DAYS
Once a year, NIDV and the Belgian and Luxembourg NDIAs organise the NATO / Benelux Industry Days in cooperation with the permanent representations of the BENLUX countries to NATO. Future NATO projects of interest to industry are then presented as well as current NATO developments are shared.