Province emphasizes civil-military cooperation at Business Park Aviolanda

Business Park Aviolanda and Woensdrecht Air Base together form the aviation maintenance cluster Hive Aerospace Collective. In this cluster, industry, the Royal Air Force, education, and government join forces to keep airplanes and helicopters in the air: both civil and military. “Cooperation is essential to ensure innovation, continuity of aviation, and the protection of what we cherish in the future,” says Deputy Martijn van Gruijthuijsen.

Brabant contributes to a robust Dutch defense

With strategic locations such as Woensdrecht Air Base, but also Gilze-Rijen Air Base and the cluster of high-tech companies in the region, North Brabant plays a key role in strengthening Dutch defense capacity. The Hive Aerospace Collective is a good example: here innovation, craftsmanship, and knowledge development come together. In an increasingly insecure world, it is important that the Netherlands has the best knowledge, technology, and industry. The minister also emphasizes this. “Together with civil parties, Defense is working on a future-proof air force,” says Brekelmans. “Everything aimed at ensuring our air force is ready, today and in case of escalating tensions. And in a way that contributes to employment and innovation.”

Start exploration of further cooperation

Woensdrecht Air Base has played a major role for years in strengthening the Dutch defense industry and the armed forces. The visit marks the start of an exploration towards further formalization of cooperation between the Province of North Brabant, Defense, Business Park Aviolanda, and the companies on the park. “These times require a strong reinforcement of that cooperation,” says Managing Director of Aviolanda, Ivo van der Vlis. “We are therefore very pleased with the interest from the minister, the deputy, the deputy Commander of the Air Force Major General Robert Adang, and the mayor of Woensdrecht, Steven Adriaansen.”