Visit by His Majesty the King to the Royal Higher Institute for Defence: from the Belgian Defence think tank to the heart of Defence research and innovation.
On 9 December, the Royal Higher Institute for Defence (RHID) had the honour of welcoming His Majesty the King for a visit dedicated to scientific research and technological innovation, pillars of national sovereignty and security. The King was welcomed by the Director General of the RHID, Rear Admiral Baudouin Coppieters de Gibson, in the presence of several defence authorities and the RHID’s Board of Directors.
Before discussing research projects, the RHID’s missions and tasks were presented to Him. The Head of the Security and Defence service highlighted the High Studies for Security and Defence (HSSD), a high-level multidisciplinary programme, as well as the Centre for Security and Defence Studies (CSDS), whose analyses inform political and military decision-makers.
Next, the Head of the Defence, Industry and Research Strategy (DIRS) service presented Belgium’s strategy to strengthen scientific, technological and industrial potential in key areas such as unmanned intelligent systems, cyber defence, naval, land, air and space technologies, advanced military health, innovative materials and emerging technologies.
In addition, the Head of the Research, Development, Innovation and Industrialisation (RDII) service detailed the implementation of the DIRS, the driving force behind innovation within the Belgian Defence.
Finally, as part of the expansion of activities planned for the coming years, the future evolution towards an Organisation for Defence Innovation and Defence Industry (ODIN) within the RHID was presented to Him.
These presentations provided the King with an overview of the essential nature of studies and research for the benefit of Defence.
This introduction was followed by several demonstrations of projects carried out in collaboration between the Royal Military Academy (RMA) and industry, coordinated and funded by the RHID, in some of the areas discussed, namely:
- the ‘Coordinated Robots for Unmanned Land Systems’ project, developed in particular for land mine clearance as part of national and international programmes, with the support of the RMA’s mechanics department and the industrial company Space Applications Systems.
- the ‘Advanced sensors for detecting buried mines at sea and detecting maritime platforms on the surface’ project, integrating underwater and surface sensor suites developed in partnership with the Communication and Information Systems department and the industrial company EXAIL.
- the project ‘Use of effectors for countering aerial drones (counter-UAS)’, in particular through neutralisation and digital fragmentation simulation. Project developed and presented by the RMA’s weapon systems and ballistics’ department and the industrial company Thales Belgium.
During the demonstrations, the King had the opportunity to talk to the staff involved in the research and to understand the work that leads to the development of systems that will be used in, amongst others, future military capabilities.
By coordinating such projects, the RHID confirms its role as a catalyst between defence, industry and academia, and ambitiously pursues the mission entrusted to it: to make research a strategic lever for ensuring the country’s security and resilience in multiple areas.
His Majesty the King’s visit ended with Him signing the RHID’s guest book, followed by a photo with the authorities present as well as the entire staff of the Institute.
