The Dutch defence ministry has confirmed 56 sites it says are needed to expand the armed forces, largely matching the locations the cabinet identified as its preferred options in May, broadcaster NOS has reported.

The caretaker cabinet is expected to take a final decision on the package in December, NOS said on Monday evening.

Eight sites still require further assessment, the most notable of which is Lelystad airport, which has been earmarked as a base for F-35s. Flevoland province has previously said it would only agree to basing the fighter jets there if civilian flights were also permitted from the airport.

Junior defence minister Gijs Tuinman outlined his preferred sites in May and has since held numerous, often difficult, talks with local councils, provinces and others.

In some areas farms and private homes will need to be bought out to make way for the armed forces, and some businesses would have to relocate to create space.

If the cabinet votes in favour of the plan in December, it will then go to the lower house of parliament for its approval.

The defence ministry aims to start implementation next year and complete the expansion process by 2040. The ministry says the build-out is needed because of increasing global tensions, particularly in eastern Europe.