Speech by Vice Chief of Defence Vice Admiral Boudewijn Boots during the OCSE delegation’s arrival on September 22, 2024
General officers, esteemed colleagues from across Europe and Asia,
Good evening. Welcome to the Netherlands. It is my great honour to formally host you this evening. I am Vice Admiral Boudewijn Boots, Vice Chief of Defence, and I am delighted to share with you our latest developments.
But first, let me express my heartfelt thanks to the Benelux Arms Control Agency for organizing this important OCSE visit. I’d also like to thank the Benelux defence ministries and armed forces for their support in making this event possible. I am pleased to see such a strong attendance this week. Visits like these provide real substance to our arms control and confidence-building efforts, and that is important.
Some of you may have been here in 2019, when the previous visit to an air base and a military facility took place in our three countries. The world hasn’t changed for the better since then… What at that time seemed inconceivable, is now a reality: a devastating war rages on the European continent. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has changed the course of history, causing immeasurable human suffering and loss.
This strikes me even more in the week that we remember those who gave their lives in operation Market Garden, exactly 80 years ago. The city of Arnhem is particularly known for the severe fighting of then. But also, China is challenging the international order, the war in Gaza poses a threat to the security of the entire Middle East, and military coups are taking place in the Sahel. These global developments make defence and weapons control efforts more challenging than ever, while simultaneously emphasizing their significance.
The Vienna Document has long been a cornerstone of military transparency and confidence-building. For years, its mechanisms have helped to reduce risks and prevent military incidents – even exceeding expectations. But the times have changed. The withdrawal of the United States and Russia from the Open Skies Treaty and Russia’s exit from the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty have dealt severe blows to the arms control framework. Today, military contacts under the Vienna Document are among the few remaining pillars of the system, and that makes your presence here all the more significant.
So let’s treasure this moment. Together, let us work to protect the principles reflected in the Vienna Document, and make sure that countries who share our values continue to foster a culture of military transparency.
For many of us, the world’s worsening security situation is leading to adjustments in defence strategies. That’s at least the case for us. In that respect, the timing of your visit couldn’t be more opportune.
Two weeks ago, we published our new White Paper, which goes by the title ‘Strong, Smart, and Together’. Stronger in sustained combat operations. Smarter in technology, innovation and MDO. Together with our allies and partners.
With substantial additional budget of over 3 billion euros annually, we raise the yearly defence budget to 24 billion euros. This represents an extra 10% increase on top of the 40% budget increase in 2022. With this we reach NATO’s 2% GDP target, but as important, it allows us big steps forward in what our alliance requires. It demands urgent action – action to strengthen our armed forces, to accelerate military production, and we continue our forward leaning role to support Ukraine.
At the core of our mission is a return to the essential task of ensuring credible deterrence. And should deterrence fail, we will stand ready to defend our territory and that of our allies, with the strength and resolve necessary to protect what we value. You will see this renewed focus when you meet our military and civil servants during your visits to Leeuwarden air base and our marines in Doorn. Our goal is clear: to build an agile, intelligent, and powerful military that, alongside our allies, can keep any potential adversary at bay.
Among our key investments is the acquisition of tanks, which will re-establish the Netherlands’ own tank battalion after a 13-year absence – a historic decision for us. We are also upgrading our armoured vehicles with more powerful weaponry, expanding our military police, and acquiring additional capabilities, such as frigates, fighter jets, and helicopters, as well as expanding our cyber striking power. That’s combat. We are making even bigger steps in combat support and combat service support, ensuring that we are supplied, mobile, and ready to fight for a longer period of time.
Men and women are pivotal and get strong priority focus. After all, nothing moves, flies, or sails without a dedicated and well-equipped workforce. As we grow, our greatest challenge will lie in retaining our current colleagues while at the same time attracting new talent. Our goal is to create scalable armed forces that can adapt their strength to match the tasks. We are therefore focusing on expanding our pool of reservists and encouraging participation through recently introduced initiatives such as a voluntary ‘service year’. We also aim to build a more inclusive organisation, an organisation that includes a significant grow of female personnel.
Meanwhile, technological improvements in warfare are accelerating at an extraordinary pace. I am convinced that those who adapt fastest will prevail. To stay ahead, we are investing heavily in innovation. Digital transformation and technological developments are critical to enabling seamless cooperation across all domains. Working smarter also means learning more quickly from ongoing conflicts and empowering those on the ground, so that they are best positioned to make sound tactical decisions.
Our path forward is clear: intensive cooperation, because we are stronger together. Within NATO and the EU, our armed forces must be able to operate as one, seamlessly. And should a conflict arise on NATO soil, the military will only succeed if society as a whole is prepared to support our efforts. I am aware that, with regard to this subject, we can learn a great deal from each other. It’s critical that we appeal to individuals, businesses, research institutes, and governments alike to foster resilience and contribute to the defence effort. Only by standing united can we ensure victory.
A vital part of that equation is the defence industry. Industries must be better enabled to accelerate innovation, invest in new technologies, and ramp up production. A robust defence industry is key to maintaining credible deterrence.
Which brings me back to today, and I am nearly finished. This week, you have the opportunity to observe military practices in the Benelux countries and address any concerns you may have. Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands have a long history of defence cooperation that includes joint operations, training, and capability sharing. Examples are our joint air policing, QRA, our naval cooperation since the early 1990s, the intense army cooperation with Germany, and combined deployments.
Your visit this week gives us a chance to showcase our commitment to transparency and to reinforce the trust that is essential to our security agreements. I encourage you to engage with our people, ask questions, and gain a deeper understanding of how we operate.
As the former Secretary General of NATO and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Javier Solana, said: ‘Conventional arms control is not a luxury, but a necessity for any stable and secure Europe. It is the backbone of our regional security.’
Thank you once again for making the journey to the Benelux. I wish you a productive and enlightening visit, and a pleasant stay in our countries. Thank you!