‘Space contributes to a safe, strong and independent Europe’
The Dutch armed forces ensure our security not only on land, at sea, and in the air. They are also fully active in space, says Brigadier General Lenny Hazelbag, Director of Strategy and Knowledge at the Ministry of Defence: “It’s impressive what’s happening in space right now.”’
Space is the fifth operational domain—alongside land, sea, air, and cyber. What makes this domain important for the Ministry of Defence?
“At the Ministry of Defence, we view space from two perspectives. First: the threat in and from space. Nations can manipulate satellite signals, knock satellites out of orbit, or even develop weapons for use in and from space. Space weather and space debris also fall under this threat, as they can damage valuable space infrastructure. Second: our increased reliance on space infrastructure here on Earth. We use satellites for precise positioning and timing, communication, intelligence, and many other applications, such as weather forecasting. Our society can no longer function without the space infrastructure we have built. We must protect this infrastructure, just as we protect the infrastructure here on Earth.”
How is the Dutch armed forces responding to this?
“We’re seeing a new space race developing between the United States and China. The European Union needs to respond to this, and so does the Netherlands as a member state. In recent years, the space domain has been given a prominent place in the Defense White Papers. This has freed up resources to build our capabilities in accordance with the Defense Space Agenda, which we previously established. Significant investments are being made in space, and this is reflected in the naming. Since 2025, we have called the Air Force the Air and Space Command. This includes the Defense Space Security Center, which provides an increasingly accurate picture of what’s happening in space. One of the DSSC’s activities is developing its own satellites, such as the Brik II and PAMI, which will be launched in 2027. And within the European context, we are working on safe and accurate PNT (positioning, navigation, and timing) through the Galileo program.”
The European Union is also developing its own satellite communications system: IRIS². What interest does the Dutch armed forces have in this system?
“Secure communications are crucial for military operations. You don’t want to be dependent on other countries or commercial parties for this. We saw the potential consequences when Ukraine was suddenly unable to use SpaceX’s Starlink satellites. The Netherlands must join this European development, and we will also explore dual use: how space infrastructure, and all the knowledge and experience it entails, can be used for both defense and civil society.”
How does the Ministry of Defence involve Dutch knowledge institutions and the national space industry in the development of policy and innovative technology?
“Based on our operational needs, we are collaborating with knowledge institutions, such as TNO and NLR, and Dutch companies to build an ecosystem that can develop new capabilities. The PAMI satellite is a prime example. This satellite contributes to our intelligence needs and is being designed and built entirely in the Netherlands.”
What promising innovation trends do you see in space that could be relevant to the Netherlands?
“I find what’s happening now in the field of communication systems truly impressive. The Netherlands is developing instruments for laser satellite communication. These can project a beam of light onto a mirror fourteen centimeters in diameter, from hundreds or even thousands of kilometers away. Imagine being able to use laser light to establish a connection between two moving platforms: a ship or aircraft on Earth and a satellite in space. That offers enormous potential for secure and difficult-to-intercept communications.”
The army, air force, and navy have been around for a while. How does the Ministry of Defence ensure sufficient skilled personnel in the relatively new space domain?
“We’re approaching this in the same way we did previously with the development of the fourth domain: cyber. First, we need to ensure we hire and train specialists, with opportunities for growth and career advancement. Furthermore, we ensure that the space domain becomes something for all of us. This applies to commanders of a brigade, squadron, or frigate, who discover the possibilities space offers them. And it applies to our people in The Hague. At the Ministry, too, we want management to consider what capabilities we need in space. It’s crucial to be well-connected to what’s happening in Europe and what NATO needs. This prevents different countries from all working on the same capabilities.”
Where will we be in ten years, looking at our space activities?
“Together with Europe, we are less dependent on other global players when it comes to space. In the armed forces, we say: do you want to be a player or the playing field? If you ask me, I’d say: a serious player. The Netherlands can’t do everything alone; we’re too small for that. But we have a great deal of knowledge and expertise, and we’re developing rapidly. The Netherlands can also make a significant contribution to a safe, strong, and independent Europe in space.”