The Dutch armed forces could use more knowledge and innovation, the cabinet believes. The military is particularly interested in smart materials, sensors, space technology, intelligent systems and quantum technology. The cabinet announced these five areas last April.
A total of 35 million euros in research funding will be distributed via NWO. The first call for scientists in quantum technology will go online after the turn of the year, according to an update of this defence strategy that caretaker minister Ruben Brekelmans (Defence) sent to the House of Representatives on Monday.
One and zero
Quantum technology is expected to lead to ultra-fast computers, among other things. Chips in ordinary computers use ones and zeroes. But according to the principles of quantum mechanics, the state of the tiniest particles is sometimes indeterminate. This makes it possible to develop computer chips that can be both one and zero at the same time. Once stable systems can be built using this, computing power could increase exponentially.
Quantum technology can be used to improve weather forecasting, but also, for example, to crack codes. It could also enable the construction of a new kind of sensor. The potential military applications appear numerous.
Collaboration
The cabinet wants to spend more money on Defence while cutting funding for higher education and research. Advisory body AWTI suggested that scientists could collaborate with Defence.
Defence is open to such cooperation. After all, the armed forces must ‘continually build knowledge, learn and innovate’, wrote minister Ruben Brekelmans earlier this year, before the cabinet had fallen.
Last April, the ministry outlined the contours of the collaboration. The 35 million euros via NWO is not the only funding the military is providing. For example, 2 million euros is also being allocated to practice-oriented research at universities of applied sciences. The successful applications will be announced in early January.
Not all scientists are eager to work with the military. Research with military applications can be sensitive, especially when conducted in international collaborations.
Grey area
In his letter, Brekelmans writes that preparing for war is essential to prevent it. According to him, we are currently ‘in the grey area between peace and war’. A strong foundation of industry, innovation and knowledge ‘contributes to deterring our opponents’, he argues.
