Q2 Retrospective – From Acceleration to Execution in the Defence and Sustainable Aerospace Sector
Where the first quarter showed intent turning into engagement, the second quarter has been defined by direction, acceleration and deepened engagement. With the publication of the 2026 Defence White Paper (Defensienota 2026), the Netherlands set out a clear course for how it intends to strengthen its armed forces in the years ahead. Drawing on our work in the field, Managing Partner Michel van Ierland reflects on the developments of Q2.
A clear course: Defence White Paper 2026
The defining moment of the quarter was the presentation of the 2026 Defence White Paper. It marks a clear shift in how the Netherlands approaches national security: heavy investment in unmanned systems and drones, greater attention to defence in space and a national satellite capability, and a stated ambition to bridge the gap between the laboratory and the front through a new innovation and scaling authority.
As reflected in our recent coverage in Het Financieele Dagblad, the direction is unmistakable, and it places collaboration, longer-term contracts and strategic partnerships between Defence, industry and knowledge institutions at the centre of the agenda. As the White Paper itself states, scaling up and increasing readiness will require the full commitment of military personnel, civilian staff, reservists and industry. We consider the addition of industry as a fourth pillar an important step.
What also stands out to us is how directly this connects national security to national earning capacity. Strengthening the armed forces is no longer viewed in isolation. It is more and more understood as an investment in the Dutch industrial and knowledge base as well (listen also the interview with Michel on Radio 1 in May this year).
From ambition to execution
The Defence White Paper’s emphasis on longer-term, strategic partnerships is precisely where the movement from ambition to execution becomes tangible, and it is exactly the space in which we work. Over the past quarter, we have continued to support organisations in taking their next concrete steps: meeting the required standards, positioning themselves within the value chain, and formalising the partnerships that the Defence White Paper now explicitly calls for.
A clear example is the strategic partnership between Fokker and the Royal Netherlands Air Force, intended as a backbone for CLRS acceleration.
A highlight of the quarter was the SeaSEC Data2Sea Challenge in Rostock, where we teamed up with Axient Systems as system integrator. A consortium of sensor providers, platform builders and data companies jointly protected an offshore converter platform — and in just three months, we integrated more than 15 companies, delivered data fusion and analysis, and created with the team a ‘fighting’ C2 system.
For the Royal Netherlands Navy, Q2 marked the entry into service of the civilian helicopter training ship from SeaOwl and the start of training for RNLN pilots on board. Unified International acted as liaison between SeaOwl and the Royal Netherlands Navy, with one clear goal: a smooth and timely introduction of the ship so aircrews could start meaningful shipborne training as planned.
What stood out: Securing strategic interests
What struck me most this quarter was the seriousness with which the state is now approaching sovereignty over its defence-technology base. The discussion around the option of a ‘golden share’ in promising defence companies (a means of safeguarding national security and preventing unwanted foreign takeovers) signals a genuine shift. It is no longer only about capability, but about who controls it and secures it given the importance of strategic autonomy for the Netherlands (EU).
Looking ahead
We enter the summer with momentum, but also with a realistic view of the season ahead. Q3 will have the emphasis on continuity: carrying the partnerships and programmes of the past quarter into steady execution rather than announcing new ambitions for their own sake.
The team at Unified International is proud to contribute, across multiple projects, to the defence force of tomorrow. That is what we have done this year and what we will continue to do. But first, after a busy first half of the year, it is now time to return to our family, friends and loved ones and enjoy a few weeks of summer leave.
Closing reflection
The framework is now in place. The task for the months ahead is to valorise it — to turn the already sleeted partners the MoD has selected into meaningful and reliable lasting partnerships, and ambition into capability that reaches the people who depend on it.
