Defence ministry "looking to expand headcount by 100,000"
Dutch NewsDefence union and other sources have told broadcaster NOS that the ministry is looking to expand its workforce to some 200,000, including military, civilian and reservist forces. Defence spending Meanwhile, prime minister Dick Schoof told reporters after Thursday’s EU summit in Brussels that other EU countries are not “busy watching” the Dutch standpoint on the commission’s €800 billion plan to beef up defence capabilities. A majority of MPs, including three of the four coalition parties, have voted against the idea of using debt – Eurobonds – to boost military spending, putting Schoof in a potentially awkward position. “The Netherlands is against Eurobonds and I have said that before, but that does not mean you cannot have constructive talks about ways to ensure defence is strengthened.” Central bank Dutch central bank chief Klaas Knot told RTL at the presentation of the DNB’s annual report on Thursday that the Netherlands needs to be less emotional about the idea of taking on more debt, temporarily.
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Dutch armed forces need to scale up to 100,000 people: minister
Dutch News
Dutch Defense Ministry aims to expand to 100,000 personnel
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