Technology transfer and defence sector dynamics: the case of the Netherlands

State defence and security policies rely mostly on their military
capabilities. The latter are ensured through research and
development (R&D) as well as procurement, which are subject to
defence industry dynamics. Furthermore the defence sector is
heavily dependent on public funds; the latter can be more easily
allocated if related R&D has a spill-over effect on the civilian sector,
creating the potential for a bigger and more globally (or regionally)
integrated market. This article investigates, then, how technology
moves, and whether defence sector innovations create spin-offs in
the civilian sector in the Netherlands. We aim to provide an
industry-centred perspective on defence sector dynamics and
potentials. For this, the article attempts to answer the following
questions: Are defence technologies transferred to the civilian
sector? What lessons can be derived from the Dutch case? To
address these research puzzles the article’s theoretical framework
builds on the technology-transfer literature in analysing the case
study of the Netherlands. The basis for this is 23 interviews with
representatives of Dutch defence companies that were carried out
both in a workshop and in one-to-one settings in May and June 2020.