A new study by the Clingendael Institute reveals that nearly half of Dutch citizens lack confidence in the government’s ability to effectively spend increased defense funding. While there is general acknowledgement of the need for higher defense spending, concerns exist regarding the efficient allocation of resources. Researcher Bart van den Berg notes these doubts are legitimate, given the substantial sums involved and past issues with procurement practices highlighted by the Netherlands Court of Auditors. The Court of Auditors’ recent report indicated that the Ministry of Defence doesn’t always adhere to tendering rules. The increased spending is driven by a NATO agreement requiring members to allocate 3.5% of their GDP to defense, plus an additional 1.5% for related areas like cybersecurity. Maintaining public support hinges on transparent communication regarding how these funds will be utilized, especially considering the competing demands for government resources. The Ministry of Defence appears to be taking these concerns seriously.