In a strategic move to lock down domestic military tech, the Ministry of Defence has injected over €30 million into Intelic, a Dutch firm whose software enables diverse brands of air and ground drones to communicate and operate as a unified fleet. The three-year deal reflects a core lesson from the conflict in Ukraine: battles are won not just with hardware, but with the software that coordinates it. State Secretary for Defence Derk Boswijk highlighted the importance of this interoperability, expressing pride that a homegrown company is leading the charge.
To shield the high-tech asset from hostile or foreign buyouts, the government is setting up a “golden share” framework. While the daily operations remain strictly in the hands of Intelic’s management, the ministry now holds veto power over major strategic shifts. Boswijk downplayed the financial risks of the deal, though he acknowledged that government oversight can sometimes make private investors hesitant. Finalising a formal golden share will still require a rigorous legal process, including a sign-off from both the Ministry of Finance and parliament.
The investment looks promising, with Boswijk describing Intelic’s current performance—which includes supplying equipment directly to Ukraine—as “spectacular.” The deal underscores the military’s broader pivot toward autonomous warfare, a focus recently cemented in the new Defence White Paper and marked by the opening of a fresh innovation hub at the TU Delft campus. Looking ahead, the ministry indicated this likely won’t be a one-off, hinting at future stakes in unique tech companies crucial to national security.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
