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$Unique_ID{COW02571}
$Pretitle{433}
$Title{Netherlands
Foreign Policy and Defense}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{Antoinette de Cock Buning and Leo Verheijen}
$Affiliation{Foreign Information Service}
$Subject{netherlands
air
royal
army
forces
international
command
navy
defence
development}
$Date{1987}
$Log{Table 3.*0257101.tab
}
Country: Netherlands
Book: The Netherlands in Brief
Author: Antoinette de Cock Buning and Leo Verheijen
Affiliation: Foreign Information Service
Date: 1987
Foreign Policy and Defense
Fundamental aims
For centuries, Dutch foreign policy has been determined by the way in
which the people of the Netherlands have exploited the geographical location
of their country. One of its main features has always been a keen interest in
the evolution of international law. For example, the first international peace
conferences were held at The Hague in 1899 and 1907. The Permanent Court of
Arbitration and the International Court of Justice (formerly the Permanent
Court of International Justice) both sit in the Peace Palace in The Hague.
After the First World War, prompted by its desire for an international system
of law, the Netherlands became closely involved in the League of Nations which
was succeeded after the Second World War by the United Nations. Dutch foreign
policy since 1945 can best be described as the active pursuit of peace, with
the principal aim of preserving world peace. The Netherlands government takes
the view that peace can only be guaranteed by taking all possible steps to
satisfy the growing desire for a more equitable distribution of power,
prosperity and welfare in the world. This conviction also lies at the heart of
Dutch enthusiasm for international cooperation in Europe, the Atlantic zone
and the world at large. The Netherlands is a strong advocate of detente and
disarmament, the protection of human rights, and the elimination of all forms
of radical discrimination. It will take initiatives on these areas when it
feels such steps are necessary.
The Netherlands is a member of the United Nations, the North Atlantic
Treaty Organisation, the European Economic Community, the Organisation for
Economic Cooperation and Development, and the Council of Europe. It also
cooperates closely with the neighbouring countries of Belgium and Luxembourg
in the Benelux Customs Union which was created during the Second World War.
The Netherlands delegation to the Conference on Security and Cooperation in
Europe has constantly advocated the free exchange of people, information and
ideas between East and West.
Development cooperation
Development policy is an integral part of Dutch foreign policy and is
based on the same fundamental principles. Development aid from the Netherlands
is primarily intended to benefit the poorest countries and the poorest groups
in these countries and to assist developing countries to become economically
self-reliant.
The Netherlands agrees with many developing countries that a new
international economic order is highly desirable.
The Netherlands achieved the internationally agreed aim of allocating at
least 0.7% of GNP to official development aid in 1975, making it the second
country after Sweden to achieve this target. In 1985, no less than 1.5% of GNP
was spent on development aid. The aim now is to maintain this figure and
perhaps even increase it, if possible. The amount of money made available by
government for aid to developing countries reflects the growing interest in
development cooperation in voluntary bodies, government and parliament.
[See Table 3.: Past and future spending on development cooperation]
Defence
Dutch defence policy is geared to protecting the territorial integrity of
the Netherlands and preserving international peace and security. The
cornerstone of this is membership of NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty
Organisation. Defence expenditure for 1988 will amount to over fl. 13.7
billion, which represents 8.2% of the national budget. The armed forces are
made up of both regular servicemen and conscripts. All men in the Netherlands
are theoretically eligible for conscription. Since 1977, the length of
national service has ranged between 14 and 17 months depending on rank and the
branch of the services to which a person is assigned. Since 1979 it has been
possible to choose whether to start National Service at the age of 18, 19 or
20.
The Royal Netherlands Navy
Within NATO, the Royal Netherlands Navy contributes to the defence of the
Atlantic Ocean, the Norwegian Sea, the Channel and the North Sea which
constitute the major shipping routes to the Netherlands and Western Europe.
The Navy is consequently closely connected with two of NATO's maritime
commands, the Allied Command Atlantic and the Channel Command. The national
task of the fleet consists mainly of protecting merchant shipping, mine
sweeping along the coast and protecting Dutch ports. The navy also plays an
important role in protecting the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba which are part
of the Kingdom.
The Navy has the following resources at its disposal:
- three escort groups (guided-missile frigates, other frigates and supply
ships, all carrying helicopters)
- six submarines
- two mine-sweeping groups
- two squadrons of shore-based helicopters
- a number of smaller ships
- the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps
- naval bases
- naval air bases
- commando, training, support and logistic centres
The current naval complement is about 16,900 (15,500 regulars and 1,400
conscripts), 2,800 of whom are in the Marine Corps.
This includes two amphibious combat groups and a 'cold weather' company
which together with one of the amphibious combat groups joins in NATO
exercises with the British marines in the polar regions. The Navy also employs
about 6,450 civilians.
The Royal Netherlands Army
The Royal Netherlands Army contributes to NATO land forces. The First
Army Corps is part of NATO's Northern Army Group together with British, German
and Belgian units. A reinforced brigade of the First Army Corps, comprising
some 4,000 men, is permanently stationed in West Germany. The army is also
responsible for protecting Netherlands territory, NATO supply lines and other
NATO interests. The First Army Corps comprises:
- six armoured infantry brigades
- three armoured brigades
- one infantry brigade
- artillery, engineers, communications commando and logistical units
The other units of the Royal Netherlands Army are:
- the National Territorial Command
- the Communications Command
- the National Logistic Command
- the Training Command
- the Royal Army Medical Command
In total the army employs about 67,000 military personnel (including
41,000 conscripts and 13,000 civilians).
The Royal Netherlands Air Force
The main NATO duties of the Royal Netherlands Air Force consist of
supporting the army and navy with aircraft and contributing to the air defence
forces of the Alliance. The Air Force provides air transport for all the armed
forces and carries out maritime reconnaissance flights in the Netherlands
Antilles and Aruba. It has the following resources:
- eight squadrons of fighter bombers
- one squadron of surveillance aircraft
- one squadron of transport aircraft
- one squadron of maritime reconnaissance aircraft
- three squadrons of light aircraft (helicopters)
- guided missile units
- air bases
- radar stations
2,400 Dutch air force personnel man the air defence missiles stationed in
West Germany. The Royal Netherlands Air Force also contributes to the defence
of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba with a squadron of reconnaissance
aircraft, manned by members of the air force and the navy.
The operational units belong to the Tactical Air Forces Command. The
Logistics and Training Comman