The Chief of the General Staff of the Dutch Armed Forces, General Onno Eichelsheim, stated that Dutch troops must accelerate their readiness for possible deployment.
In a directive issued to more than 76,000 military and civilian personnel in the Dutch Armed Forces, Eichelsheim calls on them to “carefully assess their personal readiness.”
This involves practicing basic skills, increasing the number of exercises, and preparing military units at various levels, according to NOS.
The Chief of the General Staff emphasized that “nothing has radically changed” recently in terms of the threat from Russia, but urged readiness “sooner than we previously thought” to counter it. In the directive, Eichelsheim outlines two possible scenarios, according to the Dutch broadcaster.
If there is a “ceasefire” between Russia and Ukraine, the Netherlands must be prepared to join an international coalition to establish lasting peace. But they are also working on an “operational plan” in case NATO territory itself comes under threat.
