The tank battalion consists of 52 tanks, but so far only 46 tanks are being purchased. After that, six additional unmanned tank systems will be purchased.
The Dutch Ministry of Defense will buy 46 German Leopard-2A8 tanks and also acquire new anti-aircraft systems. The new Secretary of State for Defense, Geis Tuynman, announced this on Tuesday, October 15, on the ministry’s page.
According to him, from 1 to 2.5 billion euros will be spent on the purchase of tanks.
“It is planned that the first modern battle tanks will arrive in 2027, and the last in 2030. From now on, the Dutch armed forces will once again have a full tank battalion, designed for 500 soldiers,” said of the country’s Ministry of Defense.
Today, the Netherlands leases tanks from NATO countries. In the past, the government has reported that the country wants to recreate its own battalion full of tanks – but partially robotic.
“With the new tanks, the Netherlands is strengthening the combat power of its armed forces. By doing this, we are also meeting NATO’s requirements for the Netherlands,” Tuynman explained.
The German defense concern Rheinmetall and the Italian company Leonardo have agreed to create a joint venture for the production of military equipment, estimating its potential orders at 50 billion euros.
The Metinvest company, in its secret production facilities, began to produce steel screens and grilles for Leopard tanks, which are in service with the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.