Old Mitsubishi and Mini factory in Limburg becomes war factory

Thick layer of dust

After the departure of Mini (or rather owner BMW) in early 2024, the Born plant came under a thick layer of dust. Once, thousands of people worked there on cars for the European market, but since then most of the huge site has stood empty. Until now, that is. Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans and VDL top executive Willem van der Leegte have joined forces. Their joint plan: to make Born the “flagship of the Dutch defense industry.”

Exactly what will be produced is not yet known in detail. What is clear is that it will involve equipment for Defense and possibly also for other NATO countries. Think drones, parts for radar systems or even complete army vehicles. The timeline is short: the first projects should start this year.

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Russia

The reason for this defense investment does not come out of the blue. Tensions in Europe have increased since the war in Ukraine began in early 2022. Russia continues to exert pressure on NATO’s eastern border, and Europe has underinvested in military equipment for years. The message from The Hague is clear: The Netherlands must invest not only in the military, but also in the production capacity needed to do so.

Location

With ten soccer fields of floor space, its own power plant and a location right next to the A2 motorway towards Belgium and Germany, the Born plant is perfectly suited for large-scale production, according to all involved. For the South Limburg region, the plan means a much-needed boost. After the disappearance of car production, thousands of jobs were at risk. VDL now hopes that former employees will find their way back to Born.

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