The Dutch government joins the current increase in military spending in different Western countries resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began on February 24. This month the latest update of the Defense White Paper has been published, which includes the investment strategy in this material of the country for the coming years. It reflects the Ministry’s plans to add six fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets to its initial order for 46 aircraft, which will complete a fleet of 52 aircraft.
In addition, it is envisaged, inter alia, the acquisition of a new transport aircraft, the assignment of a special helicopter unit to the Special Forces and the Royal Marines of the Netherlands, the purchase of Tomahawk cruise missiles and the ordering of four additional MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft, which will be added to the four already acquired, although in this case they will be units prepared to be armed. An order for an unspecified number of high-mobility artillery rocket systems (Himars) is also contemplated.
In total, the document includes an additional item of 5,000 million euros to finance the new expenses, which is equivalent to 40% of the 12,400 million euros allocated in the current Defense budget. Amsterdam already planned to increase its military spending in the coming years. Specifically, at the end of last year the country’s plans to add almost 3,000 million euros more each year during the next four were known. Events in Ukraine have finally given impetus to an increase to which more items have been added, according to the newsletter of the Us market analysis firm Forecast International.