The Hague, Netherlands, November 11th / PRNewswire / -- Guardian Dynamics, Demcon, Axient Systems, and TNO have signed a memorandum of understanding ( MOU ) to jointly develop a Dutch sovereign air defense missile WARDEN.

Recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Gulf region indicate that there is an increasing demand in the market for affordable and sustainable air defense systems. The design of WARDEN is aimed at serving as a complementary solution, to complement high-end systems rather than to replace them. Europe needs to access missiles that are affordable in price, along with scalable and sovereignly controllable production capabilities.

Guardian Dynamics CEO Saulo Waardenburg stated: "We need to use the appropriate effectors for different threats, and the quantity must also be sufficient."

WARDEN is a joint development project involving Guardian Dynamics, Demcon, Axient Systems, and TNO. It also collaborates closely with the Dutch Ministry of Defence and end-users in combat operations. The four parties integrate their complementary expertise into a project led by Guardian Dynamics. Guardian Dynamics is a Dutch manufacturer of missile original equipment (OEM). This cooperation is not just a missile research and development project; it is also an industrial expansion initiative aimed at addressing a core challenge in European defense: to produce sufficient quantities of products as quickly as possible when needed most urgently. The project plans to utilize existing qualified manufacturing capabilities, including those from related industries such as automobile manufacturing, with the ultimate goal of developing multiple qualified suppliers and production locations. The aim is to reduce dependence on a single supplier, ensure supply continuity, and achieve scaled production when demand increases.

Guardian Dynamics serves as the alliance leader, design authority, and general contractor for the WARDEN project.

Demcon is a key engineering partner, responsible for systems engineering, multidisciplinary development, the manufacturing preparation and integration of interceptors, launch platforms, and support systems, including subsystem interface management.

Axient Systems provides modeling and simulation capabilities, as well as expertise in integrated air defense and missile defense. It supports the development of WARDEN and evaluates it according to operational requirements.

TNO provides applied national defense research and technology, supporting the development, evaluation, and finalization of WARDEN.

This collaboration will cover product development, knowledge sharing, and cooperation with international partners.

Dutch control over design and core software, as well as appropriate rights to the technologies of partners, is at the heart of the approach to this project. This arrangement is designed to enable WARDEN to be continuously iterated and supported over the long term, while giving sovereign production and supply greater control.

The Chairman of the Advisory Committee and retired general, Dick Berlijn, emphasized: "The global situation has clearly shown that Europe can no longer rely on others to ensure its own security. Dependence on others brings vulnerability and uncertainty. Therefore, European sovereignty has become a priority. We must recognize that sovereignty is not only about developing systems within the country but also about retaining knowledge, rights, and industrial capabilities in order to control its own future."

WARDEN is seen as an opportunity to establish new Dutch missile capabilities, which will strengthen the Netherlands' defense industry base and contribute to European air defense capabilities.

About Guardian Dynamics:

Guardian Dynamics is a Dutch defense technology company dedicated to developing sovereign and low-cost interception capabilities for European air defense. The company's research and development, software, guidance systems, and design are all based in the Netherlands. By combining Ukrainian practical combat experience with European industrial partnerships, Guardian Dynamics establishes scalable production capabilities and enhances European defense autonomy. Its WARDEN series includes scalable interceptors designed to counter unmanned aerial systems (UAS), cruise missiles, and loitering munitions, complementing rather than replacing existing air defense systems. https :// guardiandynamics.eu

About DEMCON

Demcon employs over 1,200 people and is responsible for the development, production, and supply of technological and innovative products. Its main locations are in the Dutch cities of Best, Delft, and Enschede. The company's mission is to combine creativity with technical expertise to address the complex technical and social challenges in the fields of healthcare, security, water management, and energy. The group also encourages entrepreneurship and invests in talent and education, providing solutions for both current and future generations.

Through the Demcon defense and security system business, the group develops innovative technical solutions to help protect humanity and society. The company collaborates with defense organizations and public institutions, combining multidisciplinary engineering capabilities with advanced production facilities to provide customers with support from concept to finalized products and mass production. https :// demcon.com

About AXIENT Systems

Axient Systems is a defense and technology company that focuses on system integration, mission engineering, and the delivery of complex, critical mission capabilities. In the fields of defense and security, the company integrates technologies, platforms, and operational requirements into integrated solutions. In the Netherlands, Axient Systems has been recognized by the Ministry of Defense as the chief mission integrator for the aerospace projects of the Royal Netherlands Air Force and Space Forces (RNLASF). https :// www.axientsystems.nl

About TNO

TNO is the largest independent research and technology organization in the Netherlands and one of the largest institutions in the European Union. We engage in innovation, research, and coordination, working closely with governments, universities, and the private sector. We provide policy recommendations to governments through rigorous research, cutting-edge scientific insights, and reliable measurements, and promote evidence-based decision-making. By establishing national and international alliances and ecosystems, we drive technological and methodological breakthroughs to help achieve safe, sustainable, healthy, and digital societies, and enhance the revenue-generating capacity of the Dutch economy. https :// www.tno.nl / en /