Netherlands Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 59th
MPR SCORE: 556
MPR Index: 0.2234 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.7360 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: +0.280 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
The Netherlands ranks 59th in the 2025 Military Power Rankings (MPR). As a core NATO member with advanced infrastructure and a globally deployable force, the Netherlands plays a strategic role in European defense, air policing, and expeditionary support. While its total force size is limited, the Dutch military leverages modern equipment, cyber capabilities, and interoperability to punch above its weight in alliance operations and international security missions.
Strengths: Technologically Advanced Force with Rapid Deployment Capability
Air Power and Joint Operations: The Royal Netherlands Air Force operates F-35A Lightning II fighters and advanced ISR platforms, supporting both national defense and NATO’s collective air operations.
Naval Readiness: The Royal Netherlands Navy fields De Zeven Provinciën-class frigates, submarines, and a joint support ship, giving it capability in both regional maritime security and global logistics support.
Cyber and Electronic Warfare: The Netherlands has invested in cyber defense units and electronic warfare, aligning with NATO’s strategic focus on digital resilience and hybrid threat mitigation.
Strategic Mobility and Multinational Integration: Dutch forces are trained for rapid deployment and integrated into binational units with Germany and other European partners, enhancing operational flexibility and strategic cohesion.
Why the Netherlands Is Still Ranked Just 59th
1. Small Force Size and Limited Firepower
Despite its professionalism and modernization, the Netherlands maintains a compact military.
Active personnel below 40,000, including reserves
No heavy armored divisions or long-range strike platforms
Ground forces rely on light mechanized formations
2. No Independent Strategic Deterrent
The Netherlands lacks autonomous strategic depth and deterrence.
No nuclear weapons, relying fully on NATO deterrence
Limited satellite, ballistic missile, and long-range ISR capabilities
Air and naval assets focused on coalition roles rather than independent campaigns
3. Budget Constraints and Dependence on Allies
While modern, the Dutch military operates under strict financial limits.
Defense budget remains near 1.6% of GDP
Maintenance and modernization delayed in some areas, especially armored vehicles
Dependent on joint EU/NATO logistics for large-scale operations
Conclusion
The Netherlands fields a sophisticated, high-readiness force with elite cyber, naval, and air capabilities integrated into NATO’s broader defense framework. However, within the MPR—which emphasizes autonomous warfighting, force depth, and strategic deterrence—the Netherlands ranks 59th due to its limited size, lack of independent strike power, and reliance on collective security mechanisms.
Military Strength and Force Projection
Active Military Personnel: 42,000
Reserve Personnel: 25,000
Paramilitary Forces: 6,500 (Royal Marechaussee - Military Police)
Army Personnel: 21,000
Navy Personnel: 7,500
Air Force Personnel: 7,000
Ground Forces
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): 18 (Leopard 2A6, leased from Germany)
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 800+ (CV90 IFVs, Bushmaster APCs)
Artillery (Towed and Self-Propelled): 80+ (PzH 2000, mortars)
Air Force
Combat Aircraft: 65+
Helicopters: 70+
Transport Aircraft: 25+
Aircraft Breakdown:
F-35A Lightning II: 52 (on order, replacing F-16s)
F-16 Fighting Falcon: 13 (gradually phased out)
C-130 Hercules: 4 (transport)
AH-64 Apache: 28 (attack helicopter)
CH-47 Chinook: 17 (heavy-lift helicopter)
Naval Forces
Submarines: 4 (Walrus-class)
Frigates: 4 (De Zeven Provinciën-class)
Corvettes: 0
Patrol Vessels: 6 (Holland-class OPVs)
Amphibious Assault Ships: 2 (Rotterdam-class, Johan de Witt-class)
Missile Capabilities
The Netherlands focuses on air defense and naval missile systems, including:
Patriot PAC-3 Air Defense System
ESSM (Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile) for naval defense
Tomahawk-capable platforms (future acquisition planned)
JASSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile) for the F-35A
Strategic Partnerships
The Netherlands is a core NATO member and contributes heavily to joint European defense initiatives. The Dutch military maintains close defense ties with the U.S., Germany, the U.K., and France, focusing on joint training, logistics, and technology sharing.
The country also integrates its land forces with Germany, participating in the Dutch-German Tank Battalion and joint defense initiatives.
General Information
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~17.7 million (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~6.3 million (males and females aged 18–49)
Geographic Area: 41,543 km²
Land Boundaries: 1,053 km
Bordering Countries: Belgium, Germany
Coastline: 451 km
Climate: Temperate marine; cool summers and mild winters
Terrain: Mostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders); some hills in southeast
Natural Resources: Natural gas, petroleum, peat, limestone, salt, arable land
Proven Oil Reserves: ~130 million barrels
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: ~700 billion cubic meters
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$24.8 billion USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~2.0%
GDP (PPP): ~$1.4 trillion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$77,000
External Debt: ~$4.4 trillion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Significant increase to meet NATO 2% target by 2024
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: Suspended conscription; voluntary professional military
Primary Defense Focus: NATO readiness, Baltic and European defense, international missions
Military Industry Base: Moderate; includes armored vehicles, naval systems, radar, and munitions
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Advanced; cyber command integrated under Joint IT Command
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state); hosts U.S. B61 nuclear bombs under NATO sharing
Major Military Districts / Commands: Four regional commands under Dutch Armed Forces Joint Operations
Missile Inventory Highlights: NASAMS, AIM-120, Patriot PAC-3, Stinger, Exocet, SM-2, JASSM (on order)
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: High readiness; mobilization within 10–30 days
Reservist Force Size: ~20,000
Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure
Space or Satellite Programs: ESA founding member; operates satellites via NLR and Royal Netherlands Space Office
Military Satellite Inventory: Relies on commercial, EU, and allied assets
Intelligence Infrastructure: Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD), General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD)
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: NATO, EU, Five Eyes (limited), Benelux, bilateral with U.S., UK, Germany
Airports (Total): ~28
Major Military Airports: Volkel AB, Leeuwarden AB, Eindhoven AB, Gilze-Rijen AB
Naval Power and Maritime Logistics
Merchant Marine Fleet: ~700 vessels
Major Ports: Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Vlissingen, Eemshaven
Naval Infrastructure: Advanced; includes De Zeven Provinciën-class frigates, Walrus-class submarines, JSS and OPVs
Naval Replenishment Capability: Strong NATO-aligned regional capability via JSS Karel Doorman
Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure
Railway Network: ~3,200 km
Roadways: ~139,000 km
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: ~25,000 barrels per day (declining)
Energy Imports: Highly integrated in EU energy market; imports gas and petroleum
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Maintains ~90-day reserves under EU and IEA commitments
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: Includes DAF military vehicles, Thales radar systems, Damen naval shipbuilding
Military Installations (Domestic): Key bases in North Brabant, Gelderland, Friesland, and Flevoland
Military Installations (Overseas): Caribbean Netherlands (Curaçao, Aruba), NATO deployments
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: U.S. presence at Volkel AB (nuclear-sharing site), NATO coordination staff
Defense Alliances: NATO member, EU CSDP, Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), bilateral defense pacts
Strategic Airlift Capability: Participates in SAC C-17 program; operates C-130H and A330 MRTT
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Moderate; strongly integrated into NATO/EU defense supply chains
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: Focused on aerospace, AI, cybersecurity, electronic warfare, naval and radar systems
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: Shell (energy), ASML (semiconductors), Damen (shipbuilding), Thales NL, Royal Vopak (logistics)
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Amsterdam (official), The Hague (seat of government)
Founding Date: July 26, 1581 (Act of Abjuration); modern constitution in 1815
System of Government: Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy
