Next Step in the Important Defence Readiness Act

Russian aggression, as visible every day in Ukraine, forces the Netherlands to face the facts. Defence must be able to deter more aggression and meet NATO obligations to keep the military alliance safe. For this, the armed forces must be prepared for all possible scenarios. This means that military personnel must also be able to exercise and train within the country. This applies in every domain: on land, at sea, in the air, digitally, and in space.

Current legislation is designed for peacetime and does not sufficiently take into account the current situation. Rules and procedures hinder the growth and readiness of the armed forces. As a result, military personnel are insufficiently able to build the required capabilities and train realistically in the Netherlands. Therefore, there is not always a case of ‘train as you fight’.

Furthermore, Defence must keep up with modern developments in technology and digitization. This applies, among other things, to the use of data, drones, sensors, and artificial intelligence, but also to being prepared for cyberattacks. The goal is to stay at least one step ahead of the enemy digitally. The lack of basic legal foundations for working with data currently hinders Defence in this.

The Wodg must enable Defence to carry out activities that currently take too much time or face too many obstacles under existing laws and regulations. The Wodg simplifies and shortens some complex procedures. This allows Defence to more quickly and effectively, for example, dig trenches on its own grounds, conduct shooting exercises (also at night), and train with drones.

The new version of the Wodg makes extensive use of the results from the internet consultation, where citizens, local governments, organizations, and companies could provide their views. Their responses have been incorporated into the final bill where possible.