The Netherlands is preparing for a significant increase in military exercises in public areas, a move intended to bolster national security but likewise expected to cause disruption for residents.
Derk Boswijk, set to become the State Secretary of Defense next week, stated that citizens will increasingly observe evidence of the country’s armed forces. “We are going to see much more in the Netherlands that there is an armed force to keep us safe,” Boswijk said after meeting with Rob Jetten, the prospective prime minister, on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
The planned exercises will include tanks and F-35 fighter jets, and Boswijk acknowledged the inconvenience this will cause. “I will tell those people that it is not fun, but that it is necessary,” he stated. He expressed hope that the public will understand, provided the government offers clear explanations.
This announcement comes as the Dutch military faces challenges in securing locations for training due to restrictions related to nitrogen emissions. A confidential report from TNO, obtained by De Telegraaf, indicates that training and expansion plans are at risk on nearly all sites, potentially jeopardizing the country’s ability to meet NATO goals. The issue of nitrogen limits impacting military readiness has become a significant concern for defense officials.
However, VVD party leader Dilan Yesilgöz emphasized the importance of prioritizing security. “If you don’t have security, we have nothing,” Yesilgöz said. The Dutch government is increasing defense spending to meet NATO standards, but the ability to conduct necessary training remains a critical hurdle.
The increased military activity is also linked to the growing demand for space from the Ministry of Defence. Boswijk suggested exploring options for combining defense needs with other land uses, such as utilizing areas for ammunition storage that are already restricted to public access and potentially combining them with natural areas. This approach, however, may not be sufficient to address the overall space requirements, according to the Planbureau voor de Leefomgeving. The shift towards more visible military presence reflects a broader effort to enhance national security in a changing geopolitical landscape.
