Minister Ollongren: 'Entire society must be prepared for major conflict'

Content

News article | 24-04-2024 | 12:05

From large employers to transport companies, hospitals, and youth organizations. The entire society must be prepared for a large-scale military conflict involving the Netherlands. That was stated by Minister of Defense Kajsa Ollongren yesterday during the Defense and Society conference in The Hague. Nearly 100 representatives of civilian organizations brainstormed on how they can contribute to military readiness.

Vergroot afbeelding

Archive photo: reception of injured military personnel during an exercise. Reception of the wounded also applies to civilian casualties.

Ollongren emphasized that society needs to become more aware of the threat of war. 'It is not inconceivable that NATO will be involved in a large-scale military conflict within a few years. Awareness starts here, in venues like this. And it must also go outside,' said the minister. 'For a credible deterrence, the entire society must be ready for action. From the kitchen table to the negotiation table, it must be clear what we are dealing with.'

Cyber experts and hospitals

The participants in the conference brainstormed in knowledge sessions about a joint response to the threat. They discussed various collaborations between Defense, companies, and other organizations.

Employers, for example, can second their staff to serve as reservists or cyber experts in the armed forces. Hospitals must already prepare for the possible reception of casualties. And companies like NS and ProRail make their infrastructure available to expedite the movement of troops to the front.

Vergroot afbeelding Militair transport op het spoor

Military transport on the rail.

But that doesn't happen overnight. ProRail CEO John Voppen: 'There has been a long period when military transport by rail received little attention. We have quite a bit of work ahead of us. We need to adapt bridges and widen narrow curves. Then we can transport heavy vehicles such as tanks more effectively.'

Travelers will sometimes experience inconvenience due to these works and military transports. But according to Voppen, this can also contribute to awareness. 'It's an annoying message when an intercity train can't run because of a military transport. But it also shows: the threat is real, this is necessary now.'

Link
https://www.defensie.nl/actueel/nieuws/2024/04/24/minister-ollongren-hele-samenleving-moet-voorbereid-zijn-op-groot-conflict
Summary
Minister of Defense Kajsa Ollongren emphasized the need for the entire society to be prepared for a large-scale military conflict involving the Netherlands. Nearly 100 representatives from various organizations brainstormed on contributing to military readiness at a conference in The Hague. Discussions included collaboration between Defense, companies, and other entities, such as employers lending staff as reservists or cyber experts, hospitals preparing for treating casualties, and transportation companies facilitating troop movements. ProRail CEO highlighted the need for infrastructure adjustments to support military transport on railways. While disruptions may occur, they can raise awareness about the real threat of conflict. The conference aimed to raise awareness and readiness across all sectors of society for potential military engagements.