Samenvatting

Analysis of the Dutch defense expenditure from 1990-2005. In 1990 this still amounted to 2.7% of the Gross National Product (GNP), whereas in 2005 it had dropped morethan a full per cent. In terms of their tasking, size and composition the Netherlands armed forces have changed drastically over the past fifteen years. This transition, however, is not reflected in the composition of the defense expenditure. The distribution over the operational commands as well as the expenditure categories, salaries, operations and investments have remained relatively constant. The expected economic growth, combined with a constant budget, will lead to a further decrease in the coming years. It is expected that defense expenditure will constitute1.51% of the GNP in 2006. Based on present policy, this will come down to 1.36% in 2010