Flanders gives new impetus to innovation in the defence industry

On 6 February, the launch event of the Flemish Innovation and Industrial Strategy for Security and Defence (Vlaamse Innovatie- en Industriestrategie voor Veiligheid en Defensie - VISD) took place in Zaventem. In the presence of Minister-President Matthias Diependaele, the Flemish government explained how Flanders is responding to a rapidly changing international security context and the growing need for strategic autonomy within Europe.

For Flanders, this strategy represents a clear shift in ambition: moving beyond the role of supplier towards becoming an internationally relevant industrial partner within defence-related value chains. This ambition aligns with the sharp increase in European investments in security and defence, as well as the growing demand for innovative, scalable and manufacturable solutions.

The strategy builds on domains in which Flanders has strong capabilities, such as maritime technology, space, aviation (including drones and counter-drone systems) and autonomous systems. These domains are reinforced by transversal technologies including AI, cybersecurity, biotech and geo-intelligence.

A crucial element is the alignment of Flemish technological expertise with the concrete capability needs of Europe and NATO. Through strategic roadmaps, Flemish strengths are directly linked to international defence requirements, enabling innovation to move more rapidly towards application and market uptake.

To translate these ambitions into concrete action, the strategy is supported by a set of operational instruments. Programme managers have been appointed within clusters and knowledge institutions to actively support companies and help them navigate the complex defence landscape more efficiently. De Blue Cluster also takes on a role in this framework, supporting companies within the domain of maritime security and defence.

The approach further includes:

• Large, high-visibility innovation projects to strengthen international positioning; 
• Public–private investment instruments; 
• Targeted research and innovation calls;
• Improved access to test and research infrastructure for companies.

During the panel discussion with representatives from industry and clusters, a clear picture emerged of a sector in full transition. Innovation cycles are becoming ever shorter, while the need for scalability, speed and manufacturability continues to grow.

Companies highlighted, among other things:

• the persistent gap between research and market introduction;
• testing in realistic conditions as a prerequisite for scaling up;
• the need for direct interaction with end users to accelerate innovation;
• the challenge of integrating technologies into broader (European) value chains;
• and the importance of trust, references and predictable regulation to enable international growth.

Clusters play a key role as connectors and accelerators. They support companies in navigating complex funding and regulatory frameworks, stimulate collaboration, and guide SMEs and start-ups towards European projects and value chains.

The Flemish Innovation and Industrial Strategy for Security and Defence is designed as a long-term impulse. Success will not be measured solely in terms of projects or budgets, but by the extent to which Flanders succeeds in building a sustainable, resilient and internationally recognised defence-industrial ecosystem.

The ultimate ambition is clear: a continuous flow from idea to application, with Flemish companies recognised internationally as top players in their respective niches. To support this ambition, the Flemish government aims to strengthen the defence industry through an innovation programme of EUR 135 million running until the end of 2029.

Would you like to learn more about the Flemish Innovation and Industrial Strategy for Security and Defence, and the role we play in it? Please contact our colleague Eveline Buyck.