Defence minister Jeanine Hennis wants to increase the number of army reservists to ensure the Netherlands can still participate in lengthy military operations.

In a letter to parliament on Thursday, Hennis said she wants to encourage people who leave the armed forces to sign up as reservists and to open up more functions and training to reserve personnel.

The minister also said employers must recognise the added value reservists bring to their companies. Allowing an employee to go off on a military exercise must have the same value as sending them on a management training course.

The army is currently pushing through savings of €1bn over four years, which include the loss of 12,000 armed forces jobs.