On 19 September Norway and the Netherlands signed a Technical Arrangement on “Military Use of Space”. Together the Norwegian and Dutch Ministries of Defence prepared the Technical Arrangement called “Strategic Mutual Assistance in Research & Technology” (SMART). NLR, TNO and the Norwegian Defence Research Institute FFI (Forsvarets Forskningsinstitutt) were closely involved in drafting the agreement.

The agreement was signed by Ir. P. Jelle Keuning, Director R & D of the Dutch Ministry of Defence and MSc John-Mikal Størdal, Director General of the Norwegian FFI.

Within the terms of the agreement, NLR and its partners will work on the military applications of space-based Geospatial Intelligence, Satellite Communications, Satellite Navigation, Space Situational Awareness and Microsat Mission Concepts.

Jelle KEUNING and John-Mikal Størdal signing the agreement

Jelle KEUNING and John-Mikal STOERDAL signing the agreement