News item | 01-06-2022 | 11:00
Defense will take major steps to make the Netherlands stronger, Europe safer and NATO more powerful. The Defense Memorandum 2022 presented today explains how. For example:
- Stocks of ammunition, fuel and equipment are increased.
- Improve working conditions for staff.
- Firepower on land, sea and in the air is increased. This includes armored howitzers and long-range missiles for frigates and submarines.
- A battalion of 11 Airmobile Brigade is transformed into a support unit for special operations forces. A helicopter unit is also being set up for these elite units.
- There will be 6 extra F-35s. The entire fleet is getting more modern weapons.
- The number of unmanned reconnaissance aircraft (MQ-9 Reaper) doubles to 8. And they are armed.
- A military police squadron will be set up to carry out military police duties under war conditions.
Investments, innovations and maintenance are necessary for the armed forces of the future. With this we build a stronger Netherlands, a safer Europe and we invest in a powerful NATO and European Union. And we protect our freedom, security and prosperity. That is the starting point of the Defense Memorandum 2022, which Minister Kajsa Ollongren and State Secretary Christophe van der Maat sent to the House of Representatives today.
Ollongren: “This cabinet is investing 5 billion extra in Defence. The largest investment since the Cold War. The threats in the world and the war in Ukraine show that peace and security cannot be taken for granted. With the Defense Memorandum we are building an agile and future-proof armed forces. By investing in our people, support, equipment and cooperation.”
“Many allies are also increasing their defense budgets. Together we must invest smarter. Strengthening cooperation will make the Netherlands stronger and Europe safer. This allows European countries to take greater responsibility for their own safety. Many allies are also increasing their defense budgets. Together we must invest smarter. We will do this with the plans from the Defense Memorandum, together with our people and partners. In this way, Defense can protect what is dear to us.”
Defense must be there when it is necessary to defend Dutch and European security interests. This requires investments in a strong and trained armed forces, in personnel and equipment. It is not just about catching up with huge arrears, but also about modernizing, renewing and strengthening in a targeted manner, and therefore being future-proof. The Netherlands must be able to make an important international contribution to joint deterrence, up to the highest part of the violence spectrum.
Finance
Defense has more money to spend during this cabinet term. The government will add a total of €14.8 billion to the Defense budget in the years 2022 to 2025. In this way, the Netherlands will meet the NATO standard of 2% of gross domestic product in 2024 and 2025. From 2026, the budget will grow structurally by € 5 billion. A huge investment of about 40% of our current structural budget. Of course there are still choices to be made.
The operational readiness and deployability will increase, the combat power will be strengthened in a targeted manner and the agility of the organization will be increased. These are the effects that are central to the Defense Memorandum 2022. Furthermore, efforts are being made to increase international cooperation and strengthen specialisms.
In addition, the defense capacity will be strengthened with the purchase of 6 extra F35s, 4 extra MQ9 Reapers and, for example, long-range missiles for the frigates and submarines. Defense against enemy missile systems is also strengthened by investing in Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD).
Investing in the staff
Personnel is the heart of Defence. This requires better working conditions for staff. Not only to be able to recruit people, but also to retain them. Just as important is improving working conditions for our people. Working with the best gear and lots of practice, without constant shortages of spare parts, transport and ammunition. Training and investments are a necessity in order to increase the effectiveness and to grow into a healthy, modern organization that is prepared for its tasks.
State Secretary Van der Maat: “Building the armed forces of the future starts with our people, such as our professional soldiers, civilians and reservists. To this end, we invest in good employment conditions, training and a safe working environment. With a creative and flexible recruitment model and good facilities for our veterans. We will work together with the business community and security partners to implement these plans from the Defense Memorandum.”
A new human resources model will be introduced between now and 2025. The aim of this is to make better use of the talents of individual employees and to offer more options for customization and personal development. More prospects are also offered for the next steps in careers within and outside the Ministry of Defense. In consultation with employers and partners, the organization will improve the deployment of reservists to better guarantee deployment when necessary.
More F-35s and MQ-9 Reapers
The Air Force’s F-35 fleet is being expanded from 46 to 52 fighters and equipped with modern long-range and precision weapons. In addition, the number of 4 MQ-9 Reapers increases to 8. The unmanned aircraft are also armed. The Cougar transport helicopters will eventually be replaced by ‘Medium Utility Helicopters’, which can support special operations on land and at sea. The 4 C-130 transport aircraft make way for 5 new transport aircraft.
Modern armament navy
The navy’s frigates and submarines are getting new modern armaments. Those systems must provide protection against the threat of ballistic missiles. The Marine Corps is also getting new armaments. This concerns modern fire support equipment, tactical air defense weapons and unmanned systems.
More flexible army
The army is aiming for more speed and flexibility. Units that have their own specialties such as mechanized or motorized become more independent as logistics and combat support are strengthened. In addition, everything that drives or rolls is being or is being modernised. Fire support is increased by returning more Armored Howitzers to service. This increases the readiness and, above all, the deployability of ground troops.
The army reinforces the Special Operations Forces (SOF) in a new Rapid Reaction Command. The Korps Commandotroepen and 11 Airmobile Brigade integrate into this. The Air Force also continues to focus on SOF. There will be a squadron with specifically selected and trained personnel and adequate equipment such as specific helicopters to be able to act quickly and integrated with other SOF components.
Expansion of Marechaussee duties
The Marechaussee must be better able to carry out police duties under war conditions. To this end, a squadron will be set up that specializes in military police tasks in the highest spectrum of violence. This concerns, for example, investigations into alleged war crimes in enemy territory.
More European cooperation
Europe must be able to take more responsibility for its own security. European and international cooperation is necessary to guarantee our security. By jointly purchasing and maintaining new capabilities, the Defense organization can collaborate better with international partners and purchase smarter.
Existing cooperation will also be deepened. The army will work even more closely with German colleagues. This concerns, for example, joint reinforcement and use of fire support and other capacities. But the further digitization of land units will also play a major role in the coming years.
The other parts are also strengthening international ties. In the Caribbean, for example, the navy acts together with the Americans and there is intensive cooperation in various areas with the United Kingdom, Belgium and Germany. A binational maritime center is also being set up with Belgium that can operate 24/7.
The Air Force is also already working intensively with the Belgians. Consider, for example, the surveillance of the airspace of the Benelux. In addition, the Netherlands is part of the F-35 partnership with European users and the US. These countries work together at education and training locations. The Marechaussee has been involved in the surveillance of the Schengen external borders for many years. This is done through the European Border Guard Agency Frontex.
New Threats and Technology
One of the rapidly increasing threats that the Netherlands is confronted with is the air and missile threat. Innovations and weapon systems in this area follow each other at breakneck speed. Defense is therefore strengthening the Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) on land, at sea and in the air. For example, an integrated system is being developed that will connect fighter aircraft, radar systems, Air Command and Control and space capabilities to frigates, submarines and ground-based air defense systems. This not only improves the protection of the Netherlands, but also NATO territory.
Another growing threat is cyber. In order to be able to cope with the ever-growing cyber threats, the Defense organization will continue to invest in digital strength in the coming years. Defense wants more highly qualified specialists. They are of indispensable added value to the Defense Cyber Command in every military operation.
Between life and death
Defense will act even more information-driven and therefore improve the quality of the information. Good information is essential in this regard. These can make the difference between life and death for soldiers in the field. In the coming years, the government will invest in the use of new technology to further strengthen the Dutch and allied intelligence position.