On September 22, 2025, Ukraine and the Netherlands deepened their cooperation in the field of military innovation through a partnership between Kyiv and the Dutch research institute TNO. The initiative, reported by UNN, provides Amsterdam with direct access to Ukrainian battlefield-tested solutions, integrating them into Dutch and NATO defense research. By merging real combat experience with advanced scientific expertise, both countries aim to accelerate the development of breakthrough technologies with strategic value for European security.
Dutch industry gains a battlefield-tested advantage
Ukraine’s combat-proven knowledge allows Dutch scientists and engineers to integrate lessons unavailable in peaceful Europe. Collaboration with the Brave1 defense cluster ensures that technologies are tested under real wartime conditions before entering the European and NATO markets. This accelerates commercialization, enhances competitiveness in defense tenders, and positions the Netherlands as a hub for dual-use products capable of setting future industry standards.
Expanding scientific and industrial capacity
For TNO, joint projects mean access to thousands of Ukrainian engineers working in a war environment, enriching the institute with diverse crisis-solving experience. This strengthens the adaptability and resilience of Dutch research programs. At the same time, the economic benefits are substantial: new industries are emerging around defense technologies, from laboratories to production facilities, creating jobs and boosting the Netherlands’ role as a supplier of critical security solutions for Europe.
Political weight within the European Union
Beyond science and industry, this cooperation strengthens the Netherlands’ influence in EU security policy. By leading joint innovation with Ukraine, Amsterdam signals readiness to act as a central player in Europe’s collective defense strategy. TNO thus becomes not only a research platform but also a tool of geopolitical weight, reinforcing the Netherlands’ standing in key security debates.
Ukraine’s partnership with the Netherlands shows how military-technical assistance, battlefield knowledge, and industrial cooperation can merge into a powerful driver of European resilience — strengthening NATO, energizing economies, and redefining security innovation across the continent.
