Beyond the headlines: What it really takes to win defence contracts

As European defence budgets continue to rise, Dutch companies are increasingly looking to capitalise on the wave of procurement opportunities ahead. But as a recent Financieel Dagblad article makes clear, securing defence contracts is far harder than it looks: Requiring long lead times, strict security and quality certifications, and the financial resilience to pre-fund significant upfront costs before any payment is received. 

Unified International’s Michel van Ierland features in the piece, highlighting the compliance complexity that can deter new entrants and the strategic value of joining a prime contractor’s supply chain rather than going it alone. With an estimated €41 billion potentially flowing to Dutch industry by 2030, the opportunity is real, but so is also the need for sound preparation and realistic expectations.