Netherlands Approaching NATO Status with Defense Investment, Prepares for Conflict with Russia

With a defense investment of more than 21 billion euros this year, the Netherlands is approaching NATO status for the first time. After years of peacekeeping missions, the armed forces of Western countries must now prepare for a completely different conflict, with Russia as the main enemy. That is the opinion of Brigadier General and Professor of Military-Occupational Sciences Han Bouwmeester.

Russia is currently seen as the main threat to the West. Although the Russians are not the only threat, Bouwmeester emphasizes it. Consider, for example, China or smaller groups, also known as non-state actors. They could come from the Middle East, for example.’

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Bouwmeester sees that Defense is currently preparing in the context of NATO for the great conflict as we know it from the past. That means: being able to afford physical warfare. The Netherlands is preparing for this in the context of NATO. The West has had a long history of peacekeeping. A war with Russia would be a form of conflict, says Bouwmeester. So the armed forces of Western countries have to prepare differently for this.

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Indeed, going to war today does not look like it used to, Bouwmeester admits. There has been great development in the field of weapons, such as the drone. Progress has also been made in the field of IT.

Equipment

The Defense Staff has indicated what equipment is most needed, according to Bouwmeester. First, Defense focuses on long-range missiles. This allows battle to be done in depth, he explains. This also requires research facilities. Investments must be made in this as well. In addition, there must be enough equipment to fight at the front. ‘There is a lack of strength there at the moment.’ This applies to the air force, the army and the navy.

Of course, there is also a shortage of workers. “After the Cold War and after the end of coercion, Defense put money largely into productivity,” says Defense Economics Professor Robert Beeres. And so not in people. Better pay and possibly forced resumes are needed to attract workers, says Beeres.