The Netherlands Ministry of Defence (NL MOD) commissioned RAND Europe to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the Netherlands armed forces, asking RAND to focus on recent deployments of the Netherlands armed forces relative to the deployments of other countries' armed forces. This study is therefore not a root and branch consideration of the Netherlands armed forces, but a comparative study of several different armed forces to illustrate contrasts and similarities with those of the Netherlands. This study was conducted within the context of the NL MOD's Future Policy Survey, which is a review of the Netherlands' future defense ambition, required capabilities and associated levels of defense expenditure. The Future Policy Survey was delivered to the Netherlands Parliament in April 2010. The overarching aim of the Dutch Future Policy Survey is to provide greater insight into how to exploit and enhance the potential contribution of the Netherlands armed forces.

"Sponsored by the Netherlands Ministry of Defence"--T.p.

Introduction -- Setting the context: the Netherlands -- Resources and deployments -- Strategic posture: the role of defense -- Deployability -- Sustainability -- Equipment platforms -- Conclusions -- Appendix A: media analysis methodology -- Appendix B: equipment platforms data.