Minister Ruben Brekelmans signed contracts with the three companies, marking the beginning of large-scale defence manufacturing in Limburg. The equipment produced at VDL will strengthen both the Dutch armed forces and those of Ukraine.
Normally, setting up defence production takes years, but at VDL the process will proceed much faster. The first production lines are expected to become operational within a few months.
The Ministry of Defence is leasing 120,000 m² of production halls and facilities at the site, where many necessary permits and infrastructures are already in place. This enables rapid commencement of production activities.
The cooperation with VDL is structural and will last for at least ten years. Additional production lines will follow in the coming months as part of a long-term strategy to strengthen the security of the Netherlands and Europe.
According to Minister Brekelmans, “In order to continue to support Ukraine and deter Russia, it is necessary to scale up defence production quickly. This involves innovation and industrialisation, speed and scale. With VDL and other modern companies, we can achieve this as the Ministry of Defence. VDL is the new flagship of the Dutch defence industry and is now in full swing.”
Willem van der Leegte, President and CEO of VDL Groep, stated: “At VDL Nedcar in Born, we have proven that we can combine large-scale production with technical precision and scale up complex processes. We are now applying that experience to the needs of, among others, the Ministry of Defence. If the need matches our competencies – or those of our partners – then we are ready. With craftsmanship and sufficient space and availability of power, we are helping to scale up a strong and innovative defence industry here in Limburg.”
