Netherlands defines 2021 spending priorities
In its latest budget plan the Netherlands MoD is emphasising investment in ‘digitisation and sustainability’, green technology, extra cyber capacity, AI and modern equipment such as unmanned aircraft.
Four Predator B/MQ-9 Reaper MALE UAS, ordered in 2018, are expected to be delivered to the Dutch military in 2021.
In addition, the two hydrographic survey vessels in the Royal Netherlands Navy — HNLMS Luymes and HNLMS Snellius — are being modernised.
The MoD has allocated a materiel budget fund for the first time, setting aside €66 billion ($78.28 billion) over the next 15 years with €4.6 billion earmarked for 2021.
This fund enables the MoD to ‘better chart long-term expenditure’, the ministry noted on 15 September. ‘This also applies to the cohesion of the management and maintenance of the investments.’
Minister of Defence Ank Bijleveld-Schouten said: ‘Everyone knows that security and stability are preconditions for growth and development. That is why I think it is important to continue to invest and modernise.’
However, the Netherlands will still have one of the lowest contributions to NATO in 2021, with just 1.48% of GDP. The MoD described a ‘shrinking economy caused by the COVID-19 crisis’ but it still targets 2% of GDP for defence spending by 2024.
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