Drone software: Dutch Ministry of Defence enters partnership with Intelic

The Dutch Ministry of Defence is entering a strategic partnership with Intelic. The Dutch technology company will build a software environment developed specifically for, and together with, Defence. State Secretary Derk Boswijk recently signed the cooperation agreement. For Defence, this is a further milestone in the action plan for securing the production capacity of unmanned systems (APOS). The focus is on drone software, i.e. software for the use of drones on the battlefield.

The environment under development will make it possible to control different types of unmanned systems simultaneously. The concept is considered unique; so far it has only been applied in Ukraine – there, out of necessity.

The sequence is also new: the software comes first, the hardware follows. This reflects the high pace of technological development, since software can today be more decisive than the drones themselves.

Defence attaches decisive importance to the fact that this development is taking place together with a Dutch company— State Secretary Derk Boswijk

In this way, we secure the development as well as the retention of know-how and key technologies in the Netherlands.— Derk Boswijk

Young company with prospects of a key role

Intelic is still a young company, but it has the potential to grow into a decisive player in the drone market. Defence is therefore relying on long-term cooperation so that there is enough time to develop the software. Without this long-term planning certainty, Intelic would have to look for funding outside the Netherlands or even outside Europe.

At the same time, the long-term partnership serves a central goal of Defence: to rely more heavily on long-term cooperation in future. The focus is then no longer on a single product, but on a concrete operational effect that is to be achieved.

Drone software as a strategic asset: protection under review

To protect the strategic value of the cooperation, Defence is also taking measures beyond the partnership. Together with the Ministry of Finance, it is examining whether it makes sense to introduce a so-called priority share. Defence intends to conduct this review carefully and with due prudence.