In 2024, Russia’s defense spending reached an estimated $149 billion, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute — a 38 percent increase from 2023 and double the level from 2015.
“Russia is producing much more artillery, also with help from other countries, than they need for the war with Ukraine,” Reesink said. He noted that Russia is not only replenishing depleted stockpiles but also moving new artillery units toward NATO borders, including the Baltic countries and Finland.
“That’s an indication for us that they are building up capability,” he said, while emphasizing that MIVD does not currently foresee Putin initiating a new war.
Reesink estimated that once — or if — a settlement with Ukraine is reached, Russia could be ready for a new conflict within a year, assuming its military production stays at current levels and the Kremlin maintains its political appetite for combat.
“The Netherlands, like the rest of NATO countries, is in a phase of enhanced readiness program to make sure that we’re ready if that occurs,” he said.
“Most ministries have faced budget cuts — except defense — and at the political level there’s little debate about the need to prepare,” he said. “We were a little bit reluctant over the past 20, 30 years, I must admit, but now that awareness is back again.”
