Allies in Multifaceted Defense Strategies

The Netherlands and the United States collaborate on military, intelligence, anti-terrorism and preparedness initiatives on a daily basis to make the world more secure. Together, we have jointly invested in military programs like the F-35 aircraft and missile defense systems.

We share intelligence and collaborate on nuclear nonproliferation. And we fight on the front lines together in places like Afghanistan. The Dutch approach integrates military, development and diplomacy elements and recognizes that military force sometimes is necessary to defend our interests and support development efforts.

• The Netherlands is an active member of NATO, which we believe is the cornerstone of the strong European-U.S. security partnership. Dutch membership in NATO guides our security policy and provides an important structure for our international peace and security efforts.
• Dutch military service members and civilian experts have served throughout Afghanistan since 2002.  In 2006, at NATO’s request, the Dutch assumed command of NATO military operations in the Uruzgan province, one of the country’s most unstable areas. In 2007, Dutch forces in Uruzgan engaged and defeated a large Taliban force at the battle of Chora, in what some described as the largest Taliban offensive of that year.
• In addition to these combat operations, Dutch forces in Uruzgan have helped local authorities disarm militias, train police and army personnel and reform the local government.  Dutch civilian experts have supported local elections, repaired roads, bridges, irrigation systems and schools, and restored drinking water and electricity connections.  Dutch civilian development work in Afghanistan will continue in the future.
• We fully support the United States and NATO in developing a missile defense system that protects our countries from common security threats.
• The Netherlands is one of the United States’ strongest partners on nuclear nonproliferation, working to ensure that countries like Iran, as well as non-state actors, do not acquire nuclear weapons.
• The Dutch are essential partners in the development and funding of the F-35 fighter aircraft program. We are the largest international contributor to F-35 development costs after the United Kingdom and Italy. The Dutch government also considers to participate in the Initial Operational Test and Evaluation by contributing two test aircraft.
• The Dutch actively share intelligence with our U.S. counterparts on strategic issues in emerging countries and regions.  The Netherlands also participates in several intelligence programs sponsored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), working to ensure that actionable intelligence is available to those who can act upon it, particularly on the Caribbean islands within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
• The Netherlands is home to one of the world’s busiest airports, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Dutch counterterrorism experts and government officials are working with our American counterparts to prevent home-grown terrorism and secure airports and other potential targets, using our extensive experience in the field. Since November 2009, the Dutch have hosted 25 American delegations to exchange best practices on this subject.