NIDV – Netherlands Industries for Defence & Security

The Stichting NIDV (Nederlandse Industrie voor Defensie en Veiligheid, Netherlands Industries for Defence & Security) is a non-profit foundation based in The Hague. It was founded in 1984 in cooperation with the Dutch ministries of Economic Affairs, Foreign Affairs and Defence and with industry partners. Companies, knowledge institutions and universities based in the Netherlands that create economic value and substantial employment in the defence and/or security sector can participate; according to NIDV there are more than 400 participants. They are funded through annual contributions graded by their defence and security turnover.

NIDV acts as an information centre, network organisation and advocate for the Dutch defence and security industry and supports industrial cooperation with the government in the Netherlands as well as in EU and NATO frameworks. It works closely with the Ministry of Defence and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) on project information and events. It runs platforms for the maritime, land, air and cyber & IT domains, matchmaking, regional days and masterclasses, organises more than 30 events, trade fair participations and trade missions a year and hosts the annual NEDS event in Rotterdam.

The foundation is governed by a board of participant representatives under an independent chairman, Raymond Knops; the office is run by director Hans Huigen. Board members come from companies including Thales Nederland, Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding, GKN Aerospace, CGI Nederland, Robin Radar Systems and Delft Dynamics, with the Netherlands Aerospace Centre NLR representing the knowledge institutions.