Netherlands Opens Defense Industry Cluster in Ukraine

A defense technology cluster, the Dutch Defence Cluster (DDC), has been launched in Ukraine to coordinate and support the activities of Dutch defense companies.

Ruben Brekelmans, the Dutch Minister of Defence, announced this.

The Minister personally inaugurated the cluster in Kyiv and emphasized that the initiative was of great importance for both Ukraine and the Netherlands.

The official website of the DDC states that the development of Ukraine’s defense and security sector is progressing at an unprecedented pace, and the governments of both countries are actively promoting mutual cooperation.

The cluster is designed to help Dutch companies navigate the dynamic environment of Ukraine’s defense industry by providing practical expertise, strategic partnerships, and operational support.

Steeds meer Nederlandse bedrijven maken de stap naar Oekraïne.

Om deze activiteiten nog beter te coördineren en ondersteunen, is in Kyiv het Dutch Defence Cluster (DDC) opgericht. Een belangrijk initiatief voor Nederland en Oekraïne.

Eervol om dit officieel te openen. ???? pic.twitter.com/92UbA0Odzm

— Ruben Brekelmans (@DefensieMin) October 11, 2025

With over 260 Dutch defense companies and growing interest in working in Ukraine, unique opportunities are emerging for innovation, collaboration, and market expansion.

The DDC positions itself as a bridge between Dutch defense technologies and the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, while also contributing to collective security and Europe’s defense resilience.

“We facilitate access to financing, providing regulatory guidance, and helping forge strategic partnerships that enable Dutch companies to strengthen their position in one of the world’s most dynamic defense markets,” the cluster’s statement reads.

Thanks to an extensive network of contacts, DDC members gain competitive advantages and contribute to the development of solutions with global significance.

The cluster supports Ukrainian companies by providing them access to opportunities within the Dutch defense industry and is not limited to the activities of Dutch firms in Ukraine alone.

As previously reported, large-scale production of ground and aerial drones, as well as military-grade batteries for both the Dutch army and Ukraine, has been launched in the Netherlands.

The production is taking place at the VDL company site in Born. The initiative is being implemented in close cooperation with three leading companies: Milrem Robotics, Tulip Tech, and DeltaQuad.