Agreements Defense and VDL give impetus to Limburg Defense Agenda

On Monday, October 6, 2025, Minister of Defense Ruben Brekelmans signed a number of agreements at the VDL site in Born that give impetus to the Limburg Defense Agenda. The 10-year strategic partnership between Defense and VDL and the agreements signed with three companies for the production of defense equipment also tie in seamlessly with the recently signed letter of intent between the Province of Limburg and VDL and the development of the Born production site.

VDL has indicated its intention to develop the Born location along four development directions, namely: sustainable mobility, new battery and energy systems, manufacturing industry (including high-tech) and defense industry. In line with these development directions, the agreements were signed today by Minister Brekelmans.

Strategic partnership

First of all, Defense signed a strategic partnership with VDL Groep and a 10-year agreement for the lease of production space (approximately 120,000 m2) at the VDL site in Born. That space will be used to increase the Dutch production capacity of defense equipment and in the interest of our country's strategic autonomy. In addition, Defense has placed orders with the companies Milrem Robotics and Tulip Tech and signed agreements to that effect. A Letter of Intent has been signed with Deltaquad. VDL has also signed production agreements with these companies. These involve the production of unmanned tracked vehicles that can transport wounded soldiers (Milrem Robotics), batteries that greatly extend the flight time of drones (Tulip Tech) and unmanned and unarmed drones (Deltaquad).

Limburg Defense Agenda

Deputy Stephan Satijn endorses the importance of the concrete steps now being taken: "The agreements between Defense, VDL and the companies fit seamlessly with the Limburg Defense Agenda and the agreement of intent that we as the Province of Limburg have concluded with VDL. After all, a successful completion of the company location in Born is crucial for the Limburg economy and the manufacturing industry in particular. The agreements that have been concluded give an impulse to employment in Limburg, the development of knowledge and the innovative capacity of our province. Looking to the future, we will continue to work together with Defense and other partners on the further implementation of the Limburg Defense Agenda, the development of the VDL site and on projects focusing on industry, production, innovation and logistics."