While the soldiers are preparing as best they can for the Russian threat, closer to home there is fierce discussion about the future of their home bases in Drenthe. Some Defense buildings are outdated and modernization costs too much money, according to State Secretary Christophe van der Maat (VVD). In February he announced that he therefore wanted to close the Johan Willem Frisokazerne in Assen.
He encounters a wall of resistance from Drenthe politics. “No way that the barracks close. That is not going to happen,” said deputy Henk Brink (VVD) shortly after the announcement to his party colleague’s wish. Closing the barracks would cost Assen a lot of employment, stated the province of Drenthe. Both directly, through a departure of the military, and at suppliers and other service providers who currently have the Ministry of Defense as a client.
