Support for expanding Dutch defense industry grows amid rising global tensions
A growing number of Dutch citizens favor increased defense spending and expanded military infrastructure within the country, according to a new poll. The survey, conducted by Hart van Nederland among 2,081 respondents, found that 62 percent now support raising military expenditures beyond the NATO benchmark of 2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), nearly doubling from 33 percent in September 2024.
The shift in public sentiment comes as geopolitical instability intensifies, according to the broadcaster's survey. The ongoing war in Ukraine and the re-election of Donald Trump as U.S. president have increased pressure on European nations to invest more in their own defense. Some European governments are now considering military budgets of 3 or even 4 percent of GDP. The Dutch government, led by Prime Minister Dick Schoof, has yet to decide on further increases.
Support for higher defense spending varies significantly by political affiliation. While a majority backs increased expenditures, Forum voor Democratie (FvD) voters remain more hesitant. Only 18 percent of FvD supporters believe the Netherlands should exceed the 2 percent NATO threshold, while 47 percent consider the current level sufficient. Additionally, 32 percent of FvD voters favor defense budget cuts.
Beyond funding, more Dutch citizens are open to hosting military infrastructure such as training sites, ammunition depots, and production facilities—even if these developments occur in their own communities. In 2024, 62 percent expressed willingness to accommodate such expansions, an increase from the previous year. Meanwhile, 33 percent reported unchanged or reduced support for military development in their vicinity, and 5 percent had no opinion.
Among the various military needs, the call for domestic weapons production has grown louder. Dutch entrepreneurs Jeroen Zondervan and his son, Bastiaan, have long manufactured munitions, but exclusively abroad.
“We operate factories in the U.S. and the UK, but we can’t establish one in the Netherlands,” they said. While they do not face regulatory hurdles, securing an appropriate site remains a major challenge. “No one wants a munitions factory in their backyard,” they told the broadcaster.
Despite growing public support, some experts caution against rushing to expand domestic arms production. Gijsbert van Iterson Scholten, a political science professor at the University of Amsterdam, warns that European nations should prioritize collaboration rather than duplicating efforts.
“Europe has about 15 munitions factories. That’s sufficient. Not every country needs its own production facilities,” he said to Hart van Nederland. “The Covid-19 crisis showed us that cooperation strengthens our resilience. The same principle applies to defense.”
