Imagine the scene: every general in the Dutch army gathered in one room to understand how warfare is being upended by new technologies.
That was my audience at the annual Dutch army leadership summit, where I presented my vision on the future of defence operations. My previous work with NATO, the air force, and the Defence Ministry’s healthcare division—plus research for my e-book “The Future of War”—provided the foundation for this critical briefing.
My keynote explored how conflict has already evolved beyond traditional battlefields. Today’s defence operates across land, air, digital domains, and space simultaneously. Modern military infrastructure resembles smart cities more than army bases, integrating intelligent buildings, advanced mobility systems, comprehensive healthcare, and sophisticated HR management.
But technology alone isn’t enough. I emphasised how the defence sector needs new leadership approaches and accelerated innovation cycles to address the security challenges facing the Netherlands and Europe. The session concluded with an engaging discussion with these forward-thinking military leaders about the strategic implications for Dutch national security.
