A significant increase in NATO member military spending

According to Isna, the Dutch government announced on Thursday evening that it will increase its defense spending by more than 10 percent next year and invest in new tanks, fighter jets, frigates and air defenses to equip its forces to face security threats. strengthen the new

According to Reuters, defense spending in the Netherlands will increase by 2.4 billion euros ($2.7 billion), bringing the country’s annual defense budget to around 24 billion euros.

Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Berkelmans said: “New threats require new measures.” “Russia’s ruthless aggression in Ukraine shows that an attack on the NATO alliance is no longer unthinkable.”

In hostile statements, he claimed: “China, Iran, terrorism and cyber attacks are also potential threats against the national security of the Netherlands.”

“It may seem like we live in peace, but that’s not the case anymore,” the Dutch defense minister said at the presentation of the country’s military spending plan at a military base in Amersfoort, located in the center of the Netherlands. We are the target of various attacks every day. Our digital systems, our universities, our companies, our ports, our power grids are all under attack. “We are constantly being spied on and the number of attacks is increasing.”

According to the Dutch government, the additional funds will be used to purchase tanks, F-35 fighter jets, new naval vessels, drones, air defense systems and ammunition for the army.

The Netherlands has increased its military spending since the start of the Ukraine war in February 2022, after years of austerity that had significantly reduced its forces.

This country plays one of the main roles in the coalition supplying F-16 jets and pilots to Ukraine. As part of this initiative, the Dutch side plans to transfer 24 aircraft to Kyiv and provide another 18 for the needs of the European Training Center in Romania.

Berklemans said that the Netherlands will continue to provide military support to Ukraine as long as it is needed.

He previously said that Ukraine can use the F-16 fighter jets it has acquired to attack Russian targets, but not against civilian installations.

end of message