BRUNSSUM, The Netherlands – Lieutenant General Jean-Pierre Perrin, Chief of Staff at NATO's Joint Force Command Brunssum (JFCBS), took part in the second edition of the Paris Defence and Strategy Forum (PDSF), from 11-13 March 2025.
This recognition of the Netherlands as an honoured guest reflects the depth of its defence partnerships and its developing role in European security
Held under the high patronage of the French President and the patronage of European Commission, the event gathered top political and military leaders to discuss around a central theme: Europe at the crossroad with 3 axes for reflection: Which alliances? For what kind of world? With what means?
This year, the Netherlands was the forum’s honoured guest, highlighting the country’s growing role in European defence. With JFCBS headquartered in the Netherlands, the event carried particular significance for NATO’s presence in the region. Franco-Dutch military cooperation has been expanding across multiple domains, including combined development of Orka-class submarines, City-class naval vessels, and NH90 helicopters. The two nations also collaborate closely on joint military exercises, counter-narcotics operations, and interoperability initiatives such as the Scorpion program.
The forum brought together a mix of defence industry leaders, military officials and politicians from NATO and the European Union. High-level participants included EU Heads of State and Government Donald Tusk, Kaja Kallas and Andrius Kubilius, as well as the NATO Secretary General and the Supreme Allied Commander Transformation. US officials John Kirby and Joseph Nye took part alongside representatives from France, Belgium and Finland. The Dutch delegation, led by the Minister of Defence and Major General GCA Duckers, underlined the country's central role in the discussions on European security. In addition, the French Chief of Defence (CHOD) hosted a meeting in parallel to the event, which was attended by 34 CHODS from NATO and NATO partner countries.
“This recognition of the Netherlands as an honoured guest reflects the depth of its defence partnerships and its developing role in European security,” noted Lieutenant General Perrin, who closely followed the exchanges, and the forum’s emphasis on the importance of EU and NATO cooperation and complementary for security in the region. “It’s clear that the political dimension is expanding and that time has come for increased awareness of defense issues in our European Nations”