Security and Defense

Finding solutions together
© Ľuboš Podhorský / United Nations

The radically changed security landscape in Europe forced a paradigm shift in Sweden’s security and foreign policy. The Netherlands wholeheartedly supports Sweden’s NATO accession and focuses on intensifying relations on defence and security.

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Both Sweden and the Netherlands have placed countering hybrid threats and strengthening economic resilience at the top of their agenda’s. In this changed security landscape, with accelerated technological developments, the threat of terrorism and a rise in hybrid conflicts, close bilateral and European cooperation is essential. The Netherlands and Sweden work together closely on a number of very important areas.

Defence Innovation

Group picture of Swedish-Dutch Defence, Security and Aeronautics Innovation Day and EDF-mission, 2022.
Companies, knowledge institutions and universities from the Netherlands and Sweden work together to develop research and innovation projects within the defence industry. These efforts are financed through the European Defence Fund, a program commissioned by the European Commission.

In March 2022, this embassy gathered one hundred guests from leading positions within the Dutch and Swedish defence industry. A unique opportunity to discuss collaboration within defence research and innovation. Matchmaking sessions allowed defence companies to find partners to build consortia within the European Defence Fund. Read more about this event.

Defence cooperation

Bilateral defence cooperation between Sweden and the Netherlands is multi-faceted. Sweden is a significant partner in the area of defence cooperation. The Netherlands welcomes Sweden’s recent NATO-accession. 

The Netherlands and Sweden have worked closely together in the past during missions, both on bilateral basis, with for example the Military Bloodbank in Mali, and within EU (anti-piracy) and UN-framework (MINUSMA in Mali).

Moreover, The Netherlands provides 1 staff-officer to the Nordic Center for Gender in Military Operations (NCGM). The NCGM is located at the Swedish Armed Forces International Centre (SWEDINT).    

 

Minister for Defence Pål Jonson and ambassador Bengt van Loosdrecht sign the agreement. ©Regeringskansliet
On 18 January 2024, Sweden and the Netherlands signed an agreement between Sweden and the Netherlands on mutual protection and exchange of security classified information (GSA). The agreement is an important step in the countries' possibilities for deepened defence cooperation and aims to ensure that classified security information that the countries exchange is protected. 

Cyber security

 The digital transformation of our societies is leading to an ever increasing amount of cybersecurity threats, such as ransomware, data breaches and misinformation. The Netherlands is ranked as one of the most powerful cyberspace countries in the world. The city of The Hague is an important hub for cybersecurity in Europe, hosting Europol’s European Cybercrime Center, NATO’s Communication & Information Agency and a plethora of cyber security companies.

Our embassy works closely together with organizations such as Innovation Quarter, dCypher and Security Delta (HSD) in The Hague. Together they represent a security cluster that connects over 275 companies, governmental organizations and knowledge institutions. This not only opens doors for Dutch companies and startups, but also provides opportunities for Swedish cybersecurity companies to gain a foothold in the Netherlands. An example of a Swedish company that has been affiliated with HSD for years is Sectra.  

The Netherlands embassy has arranged several activities to promote Dutch expertise in secure digitalization in Sweden. We will continue to execute activities to enable Dutch cyber experts to explore opportunities in the Swedish market and to help establish contacts between Swedish stakeholders and the Dutch cyber security cluster.

In May 2024 we arrange a third Trade Mission for Dutch Cybersecurity & Digital Tech companies to Lund and Stockholm and we are involved in a tailored side program for a Swedish delegation to Europe’s prime cybersecurity event, the One Conference, in October 2024. 

Hybrid threats

Rapidly evolving hybrid threats are a challenge to security in Europe. Like other EU-member states, the Netherlands and Sweden respond to hybrid threats by enhancing our resilience and detecting, preventing and responding to the threats. We hold regular bilateral consultations and share best practices. We cooperate to protect critical infrastructure, tackle disinformation and secure our democratic processes.