Defence spending increases by 2.4 billion euros for equipment and personnel

The Dutch government is pumping an additional 2.4 billion euros into defence spending, including “heavy” investments in personnel recruitment.

“The best way to prevent war is to keep the enemy at a distance,” said Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans when presenting the new plans. “And that requires credible, strong and innovative armed forces.”

Russian aggression in Ukraine shows that an attack on a NATO member is no longer unthinkable, he said. “That would have far-reaching consequences for the security and prosperity of the Netherlands. That is why we and our allies must do everything we can to prevent this.”

On Wednesday, RTL reported that the ministry was planning to buy more F35 fighter jets. It had previously been reported that the Netherlands would get its own tank battalion with around 50 tanks.

The new investments will also go into anti-submarine frigates and attack helicopters. Personnel spending will increase by €260 million, including efforts to recruit more workers.

“We can buy more equipment, but without the right people, tanks cannot drive, F35s cannot be in the air and frigates cannot leave the dock,” said State Secretary Gijs Tuinman, a former career soldier.

According to broadcaster NOS, although the old-style military service will not be reintroduced, those in charge are looking for a form of service that would “pave the way for measures of a (gradual) more compulsory nature”.

Active military service was abolished in the Netherlands in 1997. However, all boys and, since 2019, girls receive a letter in the year they turn 17 informing them of their registration in the military service register.

They can be called up at any time if the Netherlands goes to war with another country before their 45th birthday.

Year of service

Last month it emerged that the majority of young people who complete a “voluntary service year” in the armed forces have decided to stay.

A total of 102 school leavers who had spent some time in the military as part of an experiment to increase the number of recruits have decided to join the military in some form, the ministry told broadcaster NOS.

The second year of the project starts in September and the minister expects 500 to 600 participants. A total of 3,000 people have applied for a place.