AiBotIn a major shift towards bolstering the Netherlands’ military capabilities, the country’s Defence Note 2026 has been released, outlining a comprehensive plan to elevate the nation’s defences to meet the evolving security landscape. The ambitious initiative aims to increase defence spending to 2.8% of GDP by 2030 and 3.5% by 2035.
A significant emphasis has been placed on expanding the defence personnel, with the current number of approximately 79,000 expected to reach around 100,000 by 2030, including reservists and civilians. Furthermore, around 10% of the investment budget will be allocated towards innovation and industrial scaling.
The Netherlands has also signaled its intention to increase its reliance on unmanned systems, with the vision of generating more than half of operational effects from these systems within the next five years. A new unmanned systems lab has been established, and an expertise centre for counter-drone capabilities is being set up to develop and enhance the nation’s capabilities in this field.
The nation’s air and missile defence systems will also undergo significant upgrades. The integration of existing systems is expected to improve, with increased emphasis on faster acquisition of high-energy and laser systems. Moreover, the country will acquire additional Short-Range Air Defence (SHORAD) and Medium-Range Air Defence (MRAD) systems to bolster its air defence capabilities.
Readiness and endurance remain crucial aspects of the plan, with the stockpiling of critical supplies, such as ammunition, spare parts, medical equipment, clothing, and gear, set to increase. Additionally, logistics chains will be strengthened to enable longer operations.
The Navy will also see significant upgrades, with enhanced combat power, endurance, and ship self-defence capabilities becoming a focal point. The nation aims to reduce the vulnerability of its amphibious transport ships and develop alternative navigation systems for electromagnetic pulse and GPS-denied environments. Furthermore, an expanded Fleet of naval vessels, including the NH90, is expected, along with an increased presence of the Marine Corps.
On land, the expansion of the Army’s capabilities includes new heavy and medium brigades with a 4th combat battalion, expanded engineering capacity, and an additional air-defence battalion. Rocket artillery, drones, Counter-Drone defence systems, and Electronic Warfare (EW) capabilities are also set to increase across various Army units.
The Royal Marechaussee, an elite military police unit, will receive C-UAS capabilities for the protection of critical sites and Host Nation Support. Additionally, the unit’s cyber, intelligence, equipment, and training capacities will expand.
In the Air Force, improved command chains, additional Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) planes, and additional combat aircraft to meet NATO requirements will be introduced. The nation will also invest in unmanned systems and airbase defence.
The plan also focuses on strengthening the nation’s cyber and space capabilities, with increased emphasis on both defensive and offensive cyber capabilities. The Defence Space Security Centre is set to become a full-fledged Space Command, and investments will be made in satellites, sensors, space infrastructure, and secure military connectivity.
Lastly, the nation’s Special Operations Forces (SOF) capabilities and enablers are set to be expanded, with a focus on gray-zone operations between peace and war.
The comprehensive nature of the plan underscores the Netherlands’ commitment to its defence transformation and modernization efforts, positioning the nation for an increased role in international security and diplomacy.