Netherlands Commits €200M for Urgent Air Defense and Ammunition Supplies to Ukraine
19 April, 2024 155mm artillery rounds. Photo credits: Brian E. Christiansen/Flickr
The Netherlands is allocating more than EUR200 million for new initiatives to rapidly deliver additional air defense equipment and artillery ammunition to Ukraine. The Ministry of Defense of the Netherlands reported on this. The statement was made by the Minister of Defense of the country, Kajsa Ollongren, during an online meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council.
"Air defense systems and artillery ammunition are essential for Ukraine. The situation threatens to become critical. The resources provided by the Netherlands are already on the European continent and will be delivered to Ukraine as soon as possible.
Now we must all do everything we can to support Ukraine," she said.
Launchers of the Patriot air defense system. Photo credits: Sgt.
1st Class Christopher Smith/U.S. Army
The Netherlands allocates EUR150 million to support the German 'Immediate Action on Air Defence' initiative.
This initiative aims to work with partners to quickly provide Ukraine with long-range air defense capabilities. In addition, the Ministry of Defense of the Netherlands is purchasing short-range air defense systems for EUR60 million. They can be used, among other things, to counter drone attacks.
The country will also support Estonia's initiative to rapidly supply artillery ammunition to Ukraine from its existing stocks. Previously, the Netherlands announced that it would allocate EUR250 million for a similar Czech plan to quickly supply more shells.
Military aid from the Netherlands
Militarnyi previously reported that the Dutch government allocated an additional EUR1 billion in military aid to Ukraine. The country will provide EUR3 billion in military aid next year and allocate EUR400 million to support the economy and repair Ukraine's critical infrastructure.
In March 2024, Militarnyi reported that the Dutch government would purchase aviation weapons for F-16 fighter jets, which would soon be transferred to Ukraine.
Myrhorod, Safe Sky 2011 exercise. American F-16 and Ukrainian Su-27 fighters.
2011. Ukraine.
Photo credits: poltava.to
The Netherlands declared over EUR150 million to purchase air-to-ground weapons for F-16 fighter jets awaiting delivery to Ukraine. It was noted that the contract for their purchase would be concluded directly with the manufacturer. The Netherlands will also purchase reconnaissance drones for Ukraine worth EUR200 million.
This is being done in consultation with other partners and the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
It was also reported that the Netherlands would provide Ukraine with high-speed inflatable and armored boats in patrol and combat versions.
Illustration photo of the CB90 boat.
Photo credits: Swedish Navy
The Dutch Defense Ministry detailed that Ukraine will receive fourteen rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs), five militarized river patrol boats, and three CB90 combat boats.