Forces: January 17, 2000

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The Dutch have issued a new defense white paper which calls for a halt to defense cuts and a doubling of the rapid deployment forces. The Dutch want to be able to field 19,200 troops in 24 battalions, including units on peacekeeping missions. This includes three Marine battalions and the 19 maneuver battalions assigned to the Dutch-German Corps in NATO.) The Dutch plan to sell 136 Leopard-2 tanks, two Standard frigates, three minesweepers, two P-3C patrol planes, and (most controversial of all) a squadron of F-16s to raise cash which will be used to buy equipment for peacekeeping.--Stephen V Cole

 

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