Office of Defense Cooperation

Defense Cooperation (ODC) in the Netherlands. ODC Netherlands is subordinate to Headquarters European Command and is an integral part of the American Embassy in The Hague.

The purpose of ODC Netherlands is to facilitate the long-term US-Netherlands defense relationship by promoting defense cooperation, with a goal of providing the U.S. Soldier, Sailor, Airman, and Marine the best materiel possible, while promoting interoperability between U.S., NATO, and Dutch forces.

Mission and Responsibilities

ODC achieves this mission by:

• Supporting the U.S. European Command (EUCOM J-5), the Ambassador, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense;
• Representing U.S. defense interests in the Netherlands through security assistance, cooperative armament programs and direct commercial sales;
  
• Assisting U.S. government and industry in cooperative armaments Research & Development efforts;
• Identifying off-the-shelf equipment or developments that may satisfy U.S. operational requirements;
• Increasing standardization and interoperability of weapons and munitions;
• Facilitating U.S. government and industry participation in international trade shows;
• Ensuring U.S. technology security through end-use monitoring procedures. 
• Contact Us For:

 
Defense Import / Export / Foreign Military Sales / Foreign Schools / Tradeshows

Email: ODCTheHague@state.gov
Phone: +31 70 310 22 82
Facsimile: +31 70 364 83 30 

Security Assistance

Security assistance includes Foreign Military Sales of U.S. defense equipment and training.  Specifically, Security Assistance concerns the transfer of military and economic assistance through sale, grant, lease, or loan to friendly foreign governments. Transfers are carried out under the principle that if they are essential to the security and economic well being of such governments and international organizations, they are equally vital to the security and economic well being of the United States. 

International Armaments Cooperation (IAC)

International Armaments Cooperation includes support for bilateral government-to-government cooperative agreements. IAC efforts include the F-16 Multinational Fighter Program, Joint Strike Fighter Program (Development, Operational Test and Evaluation, and Production), Data Exchange Agreements, Foreign Comparative Testing, Engineer & Scientist Exchanges, and support to U.S. defense industries seeking to do business in the Netherlands.

Logistics and Agreement

In this function, the ODC serves as the point of contact for United States European Command (USEUCOM), its subordinate units (i.e. USAREUR, USAFE, NAVEUR) and the Government of the Netherlands for establishment, amendment, negotiation and cessation of technical stationing and international implementing agreements. This includes planning and coordinating  bilateral mutual logistics support arrangements to provide for flexible and responsive logistics throughout the spectrum of conflict.

Areas of Assistance

The primary constituency of ODC Netherlands includes U.S. Department of Defense personnel, the Dutch Chief of Defense staff, the Dutch Defense Materiel Organization, U.S. defense vendors, defense-related industries of the Netherlands wishing to participate in cooperative programs with the U.S., and the Dutch Ministry of Defense. Specific areas in which the ODC may provide assistance include:

• National and defense decision-making process
• Defense procurement regulations and policies
• Defense budget and procurement plans
• Defense industries and product lines
• Country Team Assessments in support of Foreign Materiel Sales
• Points of contact for specific procurement programs
• Coordination with other U.S. Embassy offices, to include other ODCs
• Industrial cooperation requirements
• Bilateral logistics agreements 
• Data Exchange Agreements
• Foreign Comparative Testing programs
• Assistance for participation in U.S. training programs
• Third Pary Transfer documenatation for major defense articles
• Processing requests for procurement or information requiring release of sensitive technology.   

Military Training

International Military Student (IMS) training opportunities in the United States

The training section within the Office of Defense Cooperation is the point of contact for United States sponsored Foreign Military Sales (FMS) training utilized by personnel within each of the Dutch military services. The Netherlands Ministry of Defense sends approximately 400 students to the United States for various military training courses annually.  Training requirements are passed to ODC via a designated training point of contact within each Dutch military service.  See Training Link (PDF 61 KB) for additional information.