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Media reports NATO country possibly to triple military size
(MENAFN) The Netherlands is exploring a significant increase in the size of its armed forces, potentially expanding to 200,000 personnel, according to a report by Dutch public broadcaster NOS on Friday.
Currently, the Dutch Defense Ministry employs approximately 75,000 military and civilian personnel, with an additional 8,000 reservists. However, during a closed-door meeting with labor unions and ministry officials, State Secretary for Defense Gijs Tuinman reportedly mentioned the 200,000 figure as a long-term goal.
In January, Tuinman publicly acknowledged that the government aims to increase the armed forces by at least 25%, stating:
“We are currently at about 74,000 people, a medium-sized city… but we must quickly grow to 100,000.”
Despite this ambition, mandatory military service remains suspended in the Netherlands since 1997. Instead, the government is focusing on voluntary recruitment and a "service year" program, which allows young people to work in defense roles for a year.
Some experts question whether voluntary recruitment alone will be enough to meet such targets. Dick Zandee, a defense analyst at the Clingendael Institute, warned that achieving such growth may require a mandatory component, stating:
“The ambition is good, but there has to be a plan.”
Similarly, Jean Debie, head of the Union for Civil and Military Defense Personnel, suggested that conscription might eventually be necessary if voluntary recruitment falls short.
Reports indicate that the Netherlands may look to Sweden as a model, after the Nordic nation reinstated conscription in 2017 due to rising security concerns in Europe.
This potential military buildup comes as tensions between Russia and NATO remain high over the Ukraine conflict. While US President Donald Trump has called on European nations to take more responsibility for their defense, Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed speculation about Moscow attacking NATO, calling it "complete nonsense."
Currently, the Dutch Defense Ministry employs approximately 75,000 military and civilian personnel, with an additional 8,000 reservists. However, during a closed-door meeting with labor unions and ministry officials, State Secretary for Defense Gijs Tuinman reportedly mentioned the 200,000 figure as a long-term goal.
In January, Tuinman publicly acknowledged that the government aims to increase the armed forces by at least 25%, stating:
“We are currently at about 74,000 people, a medium-sized city… but we must quickly grow to 100,000.”
Despite this ambition, mandatory military service remains suspended in the Netherlands since 1997. Instead, the government is focusing on voluntary recruitment and a "service year" program, which allows young people to work in defense roles for a year.
Some experts question whether voluntary recruitment alone will be enough to meet such targets. Dick Zandee, a defense analyst at the Clingendael Institute, warned that achieving such growth may require a mandatory component, stating:
“The ambition is good, but there has to be a plan.”
Similarly, Jean Debie, head of the Union for Civil and Military Defense Personnel, suggested that conscription might eventually be necessary if voluntary recruitment falls short.
Reports indicate that the Netherlands may look to Sweden as a model, after the Nordic nation reinstated conscription in 2017 due to rising security concerns in Europe.
This potential military buildup comes as tensions between Russia and NATO remain high over the Ukraine conflict. While US President Donald Trump has called on European nations to take more responsibility for their defense, Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed speculation about Moscow attacking NATO, calling it "complete nonsense."
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