Dutch government cutting 12,000 military jobs - Forbes.com
at the rate these guys are slashing they're not going to have any military at all. i have been hearing that there are even more cuts to come, and guesses at whats next?
Economic realities I'm afraid, not just the UK and Holland but all of Europe will be making cuts.
Unfortunately the rising cost of man-power (particularly now most European armies are all volunteer) and rising cost of technology will force most nations to cut numbers and re-configure to light/medium forces with greater flexibility to deal with a wide variety of 'what if's'. The Russian threat no longer disctates military planning/thinking.
Comments like: "at the rate these guys are slashing they're not going to have any military at all" is somewhat sensationalist. If you look at Europe's combined military strength and capabilities (even after the proposed cuts) you are still looking at a continent with more serviceable (key factor when comparing numbers with the former soviet union) and cutting edge planes, tanks, AFV's, ships and ISTAR than any other continent bar the USA.
Whilst a fraction (land standing army) of what was available at the height of the cold war, Europe still remains the only continent which can plan, execute and sustain out of area military operations for extended periods. By 2020 the EU will have at its disposal 2 x Large Carriers (QE & CdG), numerous LHD/LHP's (Cavour, Juan Carlos, Mistral etc), even more numerous LPD's (Albion, Rotterdam, San Giorgio's etc.) and a sizable contingent of modern FFG's/DDG's, SSK's and SSN's. And with the arrival of A400, strategic lift for the first time (bar those EU nations with C17). These capabilties will be further enhanced by the introduction/upgrading of a modern UAV/UCAV fleet second only to that operated by the US.
During GWI Europe had huge standing armies facing East with thousands of tanks, AFV's etc. Of all the Europan nations only one could deploy an armoured division to the Gulf (UK), the rest could not. Not because they didn't have the manpower or equipment, but because of numerous caveats associated with conscript armies coupled with almost zero strategic reach. France for example could only deploy a single lightly armoured FFL Brigade which was placed on the flank due to lack of heavy armour. Today European armies may be a fraction of the size they used to be, but they can at the same time deploy a greater number of units overseas to places like A-Stan.
The Dutch decision to get rid of its heavy armour is a conscious and sensible one. They have decided the future is likely to be a series of A-Stan style engagements so they will invest dwindling resources on their SF & expeditionary capability.
Limited funds need to be focused. For example Germany has invested heavily in new armour, but is reluctant to engage in politically sensitve offensive operations (recent Libya example), whilst UK/France have jumped in head first. Maybe this is a sign of the future - leave Germany to focus on guarding the Eastern flank of Europe with its superb armoured forces whilst other nations reconfigure for rapid response by air and/or sea (UK/France & Holland). The Dutch ampib forces are already dovetailed with the UK, add the French and (even with cuts) you have a sizable maritime and airborne force able to deploy globally (at least 1 x combined brigade of Marines & 1 x combined Brigade of Paras on 24-7 ready reserve).
