The Netherlands has signed a 30-million euro ($34.3-million) agreement with Dutch firm Intelic to develop the software backbone for its next-generation unmanned systems ecosystem.
The three-year deal reportedly makes the Netherlands the first country to formally adopt a “software-first” approach to military interoperability, prioritizing integration before platform procurement.
Under the agreement, Intelic will work with the Dutch Ministry of Defence to develop the software architecture needed to connect unmanned aerial and ground systems within a single operational network.
The effort will center on Intelic’s NEXUS command-and-control software, which enables unmanned systems from different manufacturers to operate together under a common mission framework.
According to the ministry, the approach is expected to shorten deployment timelines, simplify operator training, and improve coordination across mixed drone fleets.
“Ukraine teaches us that not only the hardware, but also the software is of great importance. Making different drone systems work together makes the fight easier,” said Derk Boswijk, Dutch Minister for Arms Procurement and Personnel.
“I am proud that a Dutch company can now meet this demand. We are entering into a partnership together, leaving the classic customer-supplier relationship behind us and committing to each other for a longer period of time.”
NEXUS as the Core
Intelic will build on its expertise in software-based interoperability throughout the partnership.
The company’s NEXUS platform has been used by Ukrainian forces since 2025, enabling drone operators to respond more quickly to emerging threats.
Intelic has also launched a procurement platform linking European drone manufacturers with the Dutch government, allowing officials to evaluate unmanned systems already integrated with NEXUS.
By prioritizing software integration before acquiring new platforms, the Netherlands aims to reduce integration risks and accelerate the fielding of new capabilities.
“Europe now has more than 700 drone manufacturers, and that number continues to grow,” said Intelic CEO Maurits Korthals Altes.
“For defense organizations, the challenge is no longer access to technology, but ensuring those technologies can operate together.”
