The recent NATO summit in The Hague made one thing clear: security is more urgent than ever. Not only due to geopolitical tensions but also because of technological developments that have a significant impact on our society. Technology from South Holland is already playing a key role in keeping the region, the Netherlands, and Europe safe and resilient. As a province, we invest in innovations that can have both civilian and military applications: dual-use technologies.

International Cooperation on Security and Technology

Together with Defense, knowledge institutions, and innovative companies, we are building a strong foundation for national and international security. During the international innovation event Securing the Future, which we organized on June 23 together with the municipality of The Hague, we demonstrated how South Holland contributes to this. The event attracted over 950 participants from 32 countries and was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Defense, NATO DIANA, Enterprise Europe Network, and the Regional Development Companies. Discussions and demonstrations focused on technological developments in security, such as AI, drones, space technology, maritime innovation, and cyber resilience.

Dual-Use Technologies: Five Strengths of South Holland

South Holland supports innovative entrepreneurs working on solutions for both civilian and defense applications. Our region has a strong foundation in various technologies that are important for both civilian and military purposes. We specifically focus on five dual-use technologies:

Maritime Technology

The maritime sector in South Holland ranks among the best in the world. With four large shipyards and a broad ecosystem of suppliers, especially in Rotterdam and the Drechtsteden, we can quickly and innovatively respond to the needs of, among others, the Royal Navy. In addition to shipbuilding, there is a strong focus on protecting critical infrastructure such as the port of Rotterdam and wind farms in the North Sea.

Space Technology

South Holland is the heart of Dutch space travel. About 80% of space activities in the Netherlands take place here. The ESA facility in Noordwijk and TU Delft, together with companies like Airbus and TNO, form a unique cluster. Satellites are developed here for communication, navigation, and observation. Applications that not only support our economy and infrastructure but are also crucial for Defense.

Cybersecurity & Quantum Applications

In and around The Hague, a strong cybersecurity ecosystem is growing. Companies here are working to protect vital infrastructure such as data centers, fiber optic cables, and transmission masts. At the same time, revolutionary steps are being taken in Delft and Leiden in the field of quantum technology applications. Think of unbreakable communication via quantum encryption. South Holland ensures that this knowledge is not left on the shelf but is tested and applied in practice, also within Defense.

Unmanned Systems & AI

South Holland is at the forefront of developing unmanned systems. What started with drone inspections of wind turbines or assistance at events is now expanding to defense and security applications. Test beds such as Unmanned Valley in Katwijk, DronePort Rotterdam, SeaSEC in Scheveningen, and the TU Delft Campus are crucial for this development. Artificial intelligence (AI) plays a key role in this. AI helps systems navigate independently, make decisions, and analyze vast amounts of data, for example from sensors or radars.

Sensors & Radar

Our region is among the leaders in sensor technology and radar development. Think of systems that make invisible information visible, from drones and satellites to ships and installations. This technology is already being used for various civilian applications, such as bird detection at wind farms and traffic control. But Defense also makes use of this, for example, to protect vessels against threats or to detect enemy drones.