On 2 October, Flanders Space brought together companies, knowledge institutions, policymakers and defence representatives at The Beacon in Antwerp for the launch event of VISD Space & Defence. The central question was how Flanders can utilise its strong space expertise to contribute to addressing the growing challenges in the fields of security, defence and strategic autonomy.
Kris Vanderhauweraert, Cluster Manager at Flanders Space, and Kim Coppens, Programme Manager for VISD Space & Defence, ensured the event ran smoothly. Together, they guided participants through a programme featuring strategic insights, technological presentations and interactive discussions, with a focus on collaboration and the development of concrete projects.
Space as a strategic pillar for security and defence
Space plays an increasingly important role in our security. From satellite communications and navigation to Earth observation, surveillance and the early detection of threats: modern defence and security operations are increasingly reliant on space technologies.
Through the Flemish Innovation and Industry Strategy for Security and Defence (VISD), the Flemish Government aims to better align existing technological and industrial strengths with the needs of the Ministry of Defence and European partners.
Following a welcome address by Ken Casier, Alderman for Innovation for the City of Antwerp, Paris Van Paesschen, VISD Programme Director, outlined the programme’s ambitions. Three objectives are central to this: linking Flemish expertise with specific capability requirements, providing targeted support for innovative projects, and building a strong ecosystem capable of expanding internationally.
From roadmap to concrete projects
During the event, the Flanders Space Roadmap was presented, which forms the basis for the further development of space applications within VISD.
The ambition is to go beyond individual technologies and bring companies together around concrete operational challenges. This involves fostering collaboration between various sectors, including space, aviation, maritime applications, cyber security, artificial intelligence and energy systems.
Five potential strategic priorities were proposed:
- Early Warning: detecting and identifying threats at an earlier stage to enable a faster and more effective response.
- Cross-Domain Identification: combining information from different sources and operational domains to improve situational awareness.
- Autonomous Supported Operations: supporting autonomous systems and operations, even when communication or navigation systems are disrupted.
- Space Power & Energy: developing innovative solutions for the energy supply, resilience and sustainability of space systems.
- Space Defence Labs: fostering collaboration and experimentation around new space technologies and defence applications.
Particular attention was paid to Early Warning, an area in which Flanders, with its expertise in sensors, data analysis, communications and space technology, can make a valuable contribution.
Expertise from the Ministry of Defence and the Flemish ecosystem
Captain Thijs Verhaeghe, a space engineer and researcher at the Ministry of Defence and the Royal Military Academy, brought his expertise in Space Situational Awareness to the event. He highlighted the growing importance of understanding what is happening in space and how this can contribute to the protection of critical infrastructure and operational capabilities.
Flemish industry and the research community were also featured extensively.
During a series of short pitches, OIP Sensor Systems, imec, GIM, Advionics, Caeleste, SkyGrids, Cronos Defence, VITO and Antwerp Space presented their expertise and potential contributions to future security and defence applications.
The presentations illustrated the wide range of Flemish expertise, from advanced sensors, electronics and satellite communications to Earth observation, data analysis, cyber security and innovative communication systems.
Collaboration as the key to success
The event concluded with an interactive session in which participants discussed potential applications, technological challenges and opportunities for collaboration.
The central message was clear: the complex challenges in the field of security and defence cannot be solved by a single technology, company or sector alone.
By pooling expertise and collaborating on specific needs, new innovative projects can emerge, with applications for both the defence and civilian markets.
Flanders Space, together with the other VISD partners, will continue to facilitate this collaboration and help translate the identified priorities into concrete project opportunities.
Building a safer future together
The VISD launch event marked an important step in the further development of space as a strategic technology for Flanders.
We would like to thank all the speakers, companies, research institutions and participants who, through their expertise, ideas and active involvement, contributed to an inspiring afternoon.
Through VISD, we aim not only to strengthen the Flemish space sector’s position within the European security and defence market, but above all to foster new collaborations and turn innovative technologies into concrete solutions.
Together, we are pooling expertise, accelerating innovation and creating new opportunities for the Flemish space sector.
Want to discuss VISD and how we can collaborate?
Connect with
Kim Coppens,
Program Manager VISD – Space & Defense
kim.coppens@flandersspace.be
+32 479 67 20 03
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