Speech minister Brekelmans (Defence) EDA Military Airworthiness Conference

Speech | 08-10-2025

The spoken word applies.

Deputy Minister Kozenko from Ukraine, Oleksandr, generals, ladies and gentlemen,
A very warm welcome to the 2025 EDA Military Airworthiness Conference! It’s an honour for the Netherlands to host this important event, and I am delighted to open it and be here with you today. Let me start with a little apology, because due to my schedule, we started a little earlier this morning, but as ever – nothing the military can’t handle.

The motto of this year’s conference immediately caught my eye: Mission first, Safety always, and EMARs forever. The first two parts are familiar: Mission first, Safety always. But the third – EMARs – sounded foreign, like a language from Star Wars. And in a way, it is a kind of language – our shared language. We all speak EMAR. The European Military Airworthiness Requirements are not just a set of rules or standards; they are the common language that allows our military aviation partners to operate together, seamlessly and safely.

Since we are in a room full of airworthiness experts, it’s not for me to explain EMARs to you. But what I can do is highlight their enormous value – from a political and strategic point of view.

Seventeen years ago, we had a clear goal: one common certification system that would allow us to work together cheaper, faster, and far more efficiently. EMARs turned that vision into reality – and today, it matters more than ever. In an age of growing security challenges, we urgently need a stronger defence industry, higher production, faster innovation, and more predictable orders. Cooperation across nations and industries isn’t optional, it’s essential. Speaking the same ‘language’ builds trust, reduces uncertainty, and strengthens interoperability. In short: EMARs don’t just make cooperation easier – they save time, resources, and ultimately, lives.

Before I continue, let me extend a very special welcome to Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Defence, Mr. Oleksandr Kozenko, and the Ukrainian MAA team. Oleksandr, it is always a privilege to see you in person. I would like to take this opportunity to once again reaffirm the Netherlands’ unwavering support for Ukraine. We will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with you, providing military support where it’s needed most: in air defence, F-16s, drones, ammunition.

We are also working closely together on the delivery and operations of Dutch F-16s. People sometimes think we just delivered the fighter jets, but we deliver the entire package. That also means spare parts, ammunition and training for both pilots and technicians. And I know how much personal effort and dedication you have invested in this – it is truly an inspiration to us all. Every single day, we see the difference these aircraft make – protecting lives, defending your people, and providing hope in times of uncertainty.

I recently heard the story of a Ukrainian woman who said: ‘Every night I wake up to the sound of drones and sirens. But when I hear the sound of our F-16s, I can finally fall asleep.’ That perfectly captures the human impact of what we achieve together. Security. Hope. The chance to finally take some rest.

Even in this very concrete example – transferring Dutch F-16s to Ukraine as well as to Romania for training purposes – EMARs played a crucial role. Three Military Airworthiness Authorities had to coordinate all the paperwork and aircraft records – normally a huge challenge. But because all three nations ‘speak EMAR’, the administrative burden was dramatically reduced. Built on a foundation of trust and a shared language, the process was faster, smoother, and far more effective. And from a political perspective, that speed mattered enormously: it made a real difference on the ground.

Ladies and gentlemen,
The brutal Russian aggression against Ukraine reminds us of a hard truth: Europe must be ready for large scale agression. We must take greater responsibility for our own security – and learn quickly from the daily challenges Ukraine faces.

One lesson is clear: EMARs serve us well in peacetime. They give us structure, discipline, and order. But in times of crisis or conflict – when our Air Forces fly shoulder to shoulder into the chaos of high-intensity operations – things change. Suddenly, the rules we rely on in times of peace can feel almost impossible to maintain. The pace of operations, the harsh conditions in which our crews must work, the damage that combat can cause – all of it puts immense pressure on our support systems.

So we needed something more. We needed EMARs that could endure the harshest crisis conditions.

And that’s where I must turn to you, André – and to your entire airworthiness team at the EDA. Because in less than a year, working side by side with experts from across our member states, you rose to the challenge. Today, you will present the very first document that gives our National Military Airworthiness Authorities a common approach, including guidelines, and even clear potential derogations, to cope with crisis situations, while never losing sight of the risks involved.

In times of crisis, we must not abandon EMARs. We must not walk away from our shared language. Instead, we must adapt it together, harmonizing the way we handle exceptions while preserving trust, understanding, and the ability to act side by side when it matters most.

Today, we also welcome partners from Australia, Canada, Colombia, Japan, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea – nations that have already embraced or are in the process of implementing EMARs. EMAR is truly becoming a global language!

I would also like to warmly acknowledge the United States, our close friend and partner, and extend greetings to our colleagues from Brazil and India. This global reach of standardization could not be more timely. In today’s complex geopolitical landscape, cooperation among democracies across the globe is not a luxury – it’s a necessity.

And let’s not forget the importance of closer cooperation between the EU, the European Defence Agency, and NATO. It’s inspiring to see EMARs bring that vision to life through daily cooperation between EDA and NATO teams, building trust and true partnership.

Let me give you a great example: NATO is now using an EDA document developed under the EMAR framework to ensure all our military aviation authorities meet the same high standards. That’s how we can lift up each other, strengthen one another, and make sure that we’re not duplicating efforts – but multiplying our impact, together.

So yes, EMARs are a success story. They prove that through standardization and harmonization, we can build trust, strengthen interoperability, and deepen cooperation. They might even serve as a blueprint for other defence domains.

Is there room for improvement? Of course there is. EMARs give us a strong foundation, and every member state turns them into national regulations. So far, so good. But then, each nation adds small, specific rules – and it’s those differences that make full trust and true interoperability more difficult.

So my plea is simple: let’s reduce those national differences. Let’s make it easier to trust one another, to rely on one another, and to move forward together with confidence and unity.

Finally, let me take a moment to celebrate a special milestone: the 20th anniversary of the Dutch Military Aviation Authority.

Air Commodore Appels, dear Angelique, and your entire team: congratulations on this remarkable achievement. The Netherlands MAA was among the first to embrace EMARs, and we’ve seen first-hand how powerful it can be if we speak the same language. It has strengthened us, connected us, and made us part of something greater than ourselves.

So congratulations once again – and to all of you here today, I wish you all an inspiring, meaningful, and successful conference.

Thank you.