29 October 2025
The Royal Netherlands Navy officially opened a new drone workshop on the site of the Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) in Marknesse on Monday, October 20. The workshop marks a significant step in strengthening the cooperation between the Ministry of Defence and NLR in the field of unmanned aerial systems and maritime technology.
27 October 2025
From cyber attacks to espionage, from disinformation to disrupting vital infrastructure – the Netherlands is being tested on its resilience more and more often. Today's security issues are complex and affect all sectors. Cooperation is not a choice, but a necessity. That is why NLR and TNO are organising the Resilience Week from 27 to 31 October: a joint initiative that raises awareness amongst employees of their role in strengthening national resilience.
08 October 2025
The European Union’s autonomy is being challenged daily and across all defence domains. The range of threats facing the EU is broadening, with direct implications for Europe’s military capability. In this context, modernising current defence systems has thus become a priority. The European project MaJor (Maintenance, Joining, and Repair innovation in multidomain defence), funded by the European Defence Fund (EDF) under the indirect management of the European Defence Agency (EDA) will address this strategic concern by developing advanced technologies destined to increase the durability of future platform designs from the air, land and sea domain.
02 October 2025
Royal NLR - Netherlands Aerospace Centre has signed a contract with Airbus Helicopters to innovate a preventive maintenance strategy supporting the new H225M Caracal helicopters purchased by the Dutch Ministry of Defence. The agreement is part of a broader Industrial Participation Agreement between the Commissariat for Military Production (CMP) of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Airbus Helicopters.
08 September 2025
In a world where threats are increasing and technologies are changing rapidly, it is essential to look ahead. This means anticipating the unknown and creating resilience for what is yet to come. The Future Force Design team at NLR works together with the Ministry of Defence on the Strategy and Force Development (SKMO), to develop future scenarios and make strategic choices to ensure the safety of the Netherlands.
02 July 2025
Yesterday, the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) celebrated its 112th anniversary. In addition, the name of the Air Command (CLSK) is changing to Air and Space Command (CLRS). The name change means that space exploration is becoming more prominent within the Dutch defence. For NLR, this strong commitment by the Air Force to space power means that we can further accelerate, broaden and deepen our cooperation.
24 June 2025
23 June 2025 - During the NATO summit in The Hague, Tineke van der Veen (CEO) and Martin Nagelsmit (CTO) of NLR attended the NATO Summit Defence Industry Forum (#NSDIF), where defence ministers from NATO countries were present alongside experts and industry representatives. The forum focuses on improving cooperation between NATO and the defence industry.
27 May 2025
NLR has officially launched the Quick Response Drone Facility (QRDF). A new facility to conduct research quickly and effectively on uncrewed systems for defence. "Drones are playing an increasingly important role in aviation, for defence and also for civil applications," says Bert Thuis, Vice President Aerospace Vehicles at NLR.
21 May 2025
21 May 2025, Marknesse – The Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) is launching the Quick Response Drone Facility (QRDF) in Marknesse today. This facility contributes to the broader ambition of Dutch Ministry of Defence to become a pioneer in the field of unmanned systems, together with industry and knowledge institutions. The Minister of Defence, Ruben Brekelmans, was present to support the importance of the QRDF facility and reaffirm the ambition to innovate more quickly.
