NATO report reveals Netherlands' fleet of F-35s falls short

A recent NATO report has underscored that the Netherlands’ fleet of 52 F-35 fighter jets is insufficient to meet current defence needs.

This issue stems from a legacy of significant budget cuts to the Dutch armed forces during Mark Rutte’s tenure as Prime Minister, which have weakened the military’s effectiveness, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Despite a substantial increase in defense spending to 2 per cent of GDP in 2024, up from 1.3 per cent between 2018 and 2021, the Netherlands still faces considerable challenges. The reduction in military manpower and expertise since the early 2010s has left notable gaps in both quality and quantity within the armed forces.

The NATO memo highlights critical deficiencies, especially within the Royal Netherlands Army. The two infantry brigades lack three essential battalions, and the Airborne Brigade is undertrained. Maintenance issues further compound the problem.

NATO has urged the Netherlands to accelerate efforts to address these gaps by investing in battle tanks, support systems, and increasing the ability to deploy multiple infantry brigades simultaneously.

In the air sector, while the situation is improving, there are still notable gaps in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. The Netherlands has planned for 52 F-35s, but this number is still considered inadequate by NATO standards. The transition from F-16s to F-35s is ongoing, with the latter expected to play a key role in NATO's nuclear deterrence strategy.

The Royal Netherlands Navy is generally meeting NATO’s targets, though it faces issues such as a shortage of advanced weapons and personnel, which affects its naval combat capabilities.