Toespraak minister van Defensie Yeşilgöz-Zegerius Amsterdam Space Symposium
Hello everyone, I’m very pleased to be here today and to welcome you to the Amsterdam Space Symposium.
I would also want to extend a warm welcome to our international guests visiting the Netherlands, or, according to historian David Braneke, ‘probably the worst place on earth’ to explore space.
Because the air here is too moist. There are too many clouds. And the light from our towns and cities is far too bright.
Despite these unfavourable conditions, the Dutch have played a pivotal role in the development of the world’s space technology.
From Amsterdam native Michael van Langren, who published the first map of the moon in 1645. And Christiaan Huygens who crafted his own instruments and promptly discovered the rings around Saturn. To the radio telescope in Dwingeloo, which was the largest in the world when it was built 70 years ago. So when it comes to space technology, the Dutch have done remarkable things.
That brings me to today. To a world that no longer merely looks up at the heavens in wonder. We can now also look down, using satellites that provide us with rapid and detailed information upon which our security depends.
And when we examine the global struggle for power, it becomes clear that space plays a crucial role. Last Tuesday marked exactly four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. And we have all witnessed the growing importance of space technology in warfare ever since.
This is no different in the current situation in Iran, Israel and the broader region, which we follow closely. The truth is that modern warfare depends on communication from space. The images of Khamenei’s destroyed compound illustrate the importance of satellites. They are the eyes and ears of armed forces today.
From missions on or under water, on land or in the air, success depends on information and communication provided by satellites. GPS guides missiles and drones to their targets. Satellites intercept communications, observe troop movements, and provide real-time intelligence.
The armed forces with the fastest access to the most accurate information have a significant advantage over their opponent.
Consequently, many nation states have recently been expanding their space infrastructure. In 2015 there were almost 2,000 operational satellites orbiting the earth. Today, there are more than 14,000. By 2030, the number is expected to rise to 100,000.
This space infrastructure is not limited to countries. Commercial companies also operate in space. Of the 14,000 thousand satellites currently in orbit, almost 10,000 are from the American company Starlink. Just weeks ago, it was widely reported that Starlink cut off Russia, for illegal use of its network. Almost immediately, the Russian advance in Ukraine slowed down.
This underscores the importance of satellites. It also illustrates the risk of relying on a small number of suppliers. It makes you vulnerable and hurts your strategic autonomy.
That is why we launched several initiatives to build our own space infrastructure. And we will continue on that path. Last year, the first sovereign Dutch military satellite became operational. And we plan to launch and operate more satellites.
This allows us to look deep behind the front line, day and night, under any circumstances, using our own resources as our eyes and ears.
And our Defence Space Security Centre, currently part of the Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force, will continue to evolve into a Space Command to help secure our national contribution to homeland defence and our obligations to NATO.
In short, we have the ambition to further develop, deploy and maintain our operational space capacity. In this way, we are better equipped to protect ourselves. And having our own capabilities makes us a much more interesting partner for others.
This goes beyond security. Because just like modern warfare is impossible without satellites, many essential parts of our everyday lives also depend on communication from space. From the navigation systems in our cars, and the weather apps on our phones, to mobile payments.
Developing our own space infrastructure, and increasing our autonomy, benefits our security, our industry and our society.
Although we are taking action to build our own infrastructure, it would be unwise to do so in complete isolation. Cooperation is crucial. With the EU. With NATO. And, of course, with you. I see representatives here from industry, academia, and national and international governmental organisations.
We all have our role to play in increasing security through space infrastructure. From scientists and engineers who develop the newest technologies, and the companies that bring those technologies to the market, to the governments that invest in them and put in place the right legislation and regulations.
So we should work together, quickly and in close cooperation. Because our adversaries are investing big and they are moving really fast. If we don’t keep up, we risk losing a crucial part of our security.
So I hope you will be able to achieve remarkable things in the next two days. Even if you are in ‘the worst place on earth’ to do so.
I firmly believe that you, some of the sharpest minds in your fields, will find valuable opportunities and form productive partnerships. I wish everyone here a constructive and fruitful symposium. Thank you.