How ready is our defence if a major threat emerged tomorrow? This question framed today’s inspiring meeting at Inter in Duiven, where Dennis Gooijer from the Ministry of Defence’s JIVC and former Royal Navy Commander Paddy McAlpine shared their insights.
The core mission of Dutch Defence is to safeguard national territory as well as that of our allies. While full readiness for a major conflict is still a work in progress, JIVC is actively accelerating preparedness by organizing challenges and engaging the market through IT roundtables. These initiatives aim to ensure the Netherlands is as prepared as possible for any potential threat.
The British approach emphasizes the OODA principle: Observe, Orient, Decide, Act. The faster commanders can apply OODA using accurate, reliable, and verified information, the greater the likelihood of success. Another key lesson from the meeting is the importance of strict need-to-know information sharing. Limiting access ensures clarity for those responsible and reduces the risk of leaks.
To support these principles, information systems must meet two essential conditions:
1️⃣ They must be easy to deploy and have a short learning curve, minimizing operational complexity.
2️⃣ NATO countries must exchange data in a uniform and interoperable way, enhancing collaborative decision-making and information sharing.
It was a valuable day full of insights. The IP Company looks forward to participating in future IT roundtables to explore how our software can strengthen situational awareness and help keep defence one step ahead.