The Netherlands might find itself in a major conflict in the next five to ten years, according to a document from the defense ministry
The Dutch Defense Ministry is considering the possibility of reintroducing compulsory military service, 27 years after the practice was dropped, RTL has reported.
The media network said on Tuesday that it had obtained a document from the ministry, detailing an action plan for bringing back conscription, on the grounds that the Netherlands could find itself in a major conflict in the next five to ten years due to the deteriorating global security situation.
“The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East and various other flash points have shown once again that security cannot be taken for granted,” the document stressed, as cited by RTL.
According to the article, the reintroduction of compulsory military service would be a lengthy and complicated process. However, if neigboring EU and NATO member states decide to reinstate the draft, the Netherlands will immediately follow suit, it said.
The outlet noted that Germany, France and Poland are currently considering bringing back conscription, at least partially.
When asked for comment by RTL, the Netherlands Chief of Defense, General Onno Eichelsheim, said compulsory military service “right now… is not on the agenda and is not necessary.”
Eichelsheim described the document as “a theoretical exercise.” He pointed out that it would take years for the Dutch military to acquire the necessary equipment, build barracks and increase training capacity to accept such a large number of recruits.
RTL estimated that if the recruitment of 17-year-olds were to begin, the armed forces would have to accommodate and train up to 200,000 soldiers annually. However, according to the broadcaster, the military is currently capable of training up 1,000 draftees per year, with plans to increase the number to 9,000 by 2029.
The Netherlands currently has a professional army of just over 42,000 service personnel.
Technically, the draft still exists in the country for men aged from 17 to 45 and women from 17 to 23. Thousands of people receive conscription letters every year, but the requirement for them to actually report for military service has been suspended since 1997.
The Netherlands has been among the staunchest supporters of Ukraine since the start of the conflict with Russia, supplying hardware including Leopard 2 tanks and F-16 fighter jets. According to the Dutch government, military aid to Kiev will reach €3 billion ($3.15 billion) this year, with the same sum earmarked for 2025.
Last month, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Netherlands “has taken a rather uncompromising position” towards Russia, dashing all hopes of building “pragmatic” bilateral relations.
