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The Netherlands says it plans to buy additional F-35 Joint Strike Fighters and other systems, including uncrewed aircraft and counter-drone systems.
The plans, spelled out Sept. 5 in a new defense planning document, are underpinned by an additional €2.4 billion ($2.7 billion) in defense spending, the government says. “Each year, approximately €1.5 billion will be invested in combat power,” the Defense Ministry says in a statement.
“New threats require action,” the Dutch government says, also announcing it will spend money on helicopters, tanks and warships.
The move is driven not only by the threat from Russia, the Netherlands says, but also reflects rising tensions in the Middle East and China’s more assertive stance, which shows Beijing is “trying to bend international rules in its favor.”
The size of each of the three F-35 squadrons will increase under the plan to improve combat readiness and effectiveness. Among the other systems the government is looking to invest in are a counter-drone air-defense cannon and a high-energy laser system.
The Netherlands also plans to bolster its naval NH90 fleet and inject money into enhancing helicopter self-protection, it says.
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