The caretaker Cabinet of the Netherlands has expressed support for a new NATO spending target that would see member states allocate 5% of their GDP to defense and defense-related investments by 2032. Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans (VVD) confirmed the government’s position following a cabinet meeting on Friday, June 13th.
The proposal, introduced by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, calls for 3.5% of GDP to go toward direct military spending and 1.5% toward related investments, such as infrastructure. For the Netherlands, this would mean over €19 billion in new defense spending.
Speaking ahead of the NATO summit in The Hague later this month, Brekelmans cited rising military threats from Russia and growing uncertainty about the United States’ long-term role in NATO under Donald Trump’s renewed presidency. “There is a military necessity,” he said, calling for more investment in weapons, ammunition, and personnel.
Brekelmans acknowledged the financial strain such an increase could cause, noting that additional funding has been set aside in the Spring Memorandum for 2026. Further decisions will depend on the next Cabinet. The proposal will be debated in the Dutch Parliament on Tuesday.
