Clingendael rapport over meerjarige internationale samenwerkingsovereenkomsten als model voor een moderne defensie
Most European countries are struggling with their defence policies and the role of their armed forces. In the Netherlands, for instance, the defence establishment has been concerned for years that the defence budget is an easy target for the Ministry of Finance’s balancing of the books and that a lack of support for defence policies creates inconsistencies in the political direction given to defence. The bottom line is that defence policies should be consistent over a number of years, enjoying broad political and public support and that the armed forces receive sufficient funding during a reasonable time horizon in relation to what is demanded of them. In addition, multi-year consistency could also help to establish favourable conditions and incentives for defence cooperation across borders.