The incoming government is planning to spend an extra €1.5 billion on strengthening its defence capabilities, sources close to the coalition talks have told the Telegraaf.

The newspaper reported that the plan was included in the financial package submitted to the independent economic policy unit CPB, in what is usually one of the final stages in the process of forming a coalition.

Around two-thirds of the money will go towards bringing working practices in the sector up to date, while the remainder will be invested on the basis of ideas put forward by the commander for military operations.

Sources told the Telegraaf that the CPB’s verdict on the plans drawn up by the four coalition parties VVD, CDA, D66 and ChristenUnie did ‘not look too bad’. The formation talks are expected to conclude in the next few weeks.