Dutch Armed Forces Commander General Onno Eichelsheim has called on the Netherlands to prepare for a large-scale military conflict. In a post on X, he stressed that the military must accelerate the testing and adoption of new technologies to remain effective amid growing uncertainty.

Eichelsheim warned that the country needs to prepare for a major war even though the nature of such a conflict remains unpredictable. He pointed to the fighting in Ukraine as evidence of how rapidly modern warfare is evolving and challenging established military expectations.

According to the general, military readiness depends not only on equipment but also on the ability to adapt, introduce new technologies and apply lessons learned from combat.

The Dutch Defense Ministry previously announced exercises scheduled for October 31. Hundreds of military personnel, healthcare workers and emergency responders will practice coordinating their response to mass casualties during a wartime scenario.

Meanwhile, European countries have been increasing defense spending and expanding military activity near Russia’s western borders. Moscow has repeatedly expressed concern over these developments, maintaining that it has no intention of attacking NATO members but will respond to actions it considers threats to its interests.