Dutch Defence Upgrades
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Dutch Defence Upgrades
More fallout from Ukraine…
https://aviationweek.com/defense-spa...-june-2-9-2022
https://aviationweek.com/defense-spa...-june-2-9-2022
Netherlands Adding Billions to Defense Budget
The Netherlands will procure additional F-35s, MQ-9 Reapers and a new fleet of medium-lift transport helicopters due to a dramatic uptick in the country’s defense budget….
The budget increases and plans to recapitalize the armed forces outlined in the Netherlands Defense Ministry’s Defense Memorandum document published June 1 are the largest investments in the country’s defenses since the Cold War and represent a 40% increase over recent budgets….
Russia’s latest invasion of Ukraine has prompted even more changes; among them, the Netherlands will acquire six more Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, boosting its fleet to 52 from the currently planned total of 46. The F-35s will be equipped with new long-range armaments, likely air-launched cruise missiles. This will allow the country’s air force to create a third frontline squadron.
The air force will also double the number of General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper uncrewed air vehicles it is acquiring from four to eight and plans to arm the platforms following approvals in the Netherlands Parliament in early May. The air force has already begun taking delivery of its first batch of MQ-9s and is currently flying them from the Caribbean island of Curacao.
The Airbus Cougar helicopters flown by the Netherlands Defense Helicopter Command will take on a special forces support role, but eventually will be replaced. A new €1-2.5 billion fleet of Medium Utility Helicopters will arrive, which will be more suitable for special forces operations, while a new fleet of five transport aircraft will replace the four-strong fleet of C-130 Hercules airlifters.
The country’s integrated air and missile defenses will also be strengthened to deal with ballistic missiles and drones, the document says.
The Dutch Navy also plans to add an anti-ballistic missile capability to its warships. The document hints at the procurement of sea-based, land-attack cruise missiles to launch from surface ships and submarines, increasing the navy’s strike power.
The Netherlands will also work more closely with Germany to develop rocket artillery and land-based, precision-guided weapons for deep strike.
The Netherlands will procure additional F-35s, MQ-9 Reapers and a new fleet of medium-lift transport helicopters due to a dramatic uptick in the country’s defense budget….
The budget increases and plans to recapitalize the armed forces outlined in the Netherlands Defense Ministry’s Defense Memorandum document published June 1 are the largest investments in the country’s defenses since the Cold War and represent a 40% increase over recent budgets….
Russia’s latest invasion of Ukraine has prompted even more changes; among them, the Netherlands will acquire six more Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, boosting its fleet to 52 from the currently planned total of 46. The F-35s will be equipped with new long-range armaments, likely air-launched cruise missiles. This will allow the country’s air force to create a third frontline squadron.
The air force will also double the number of General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper uncrewed air vehicles it is acquiring from four to eight and plans to arm the platforms following approvals in the Netherlands Parliament in early May. The air force has already begun taking delivery of its first batch of MQ-9s and is currently flying them from the Caribbean island of Curacao.
The Airbus Cougar helicopters flown by the Netherlands Defense Helicopter Command will take on a special forces support role, but eventually will be replaced. A new €1-2.5 billion fleet of Medium Utility Helicopters will arrive, which will be more suitable for special forces operations, while a new fleet of five transport aircraft will replace the four-strong fleet of C-130 Hercules airlifters.
The country’s integrated air and missile defenses will also be strengthened to deal with ballistic missiles and drones, the document says.
The Dutch Navy also plans to add an anti-ballistic missile capability to its warships. The document hints at the procurement of sea-based, land-attack cruise missiles to launch from surface ships and submarines, increasing the navy’s strike power.
The Netherlands will also work more closely with Germany to develop rocket artillery and land-based, precision-guided weapons for deep strike.
Last edited by T28B; 7th Jun 2022 at 12:43. Reason: proper attribution
Meanwhile, in the UK, after Boris Johnson publicly announces that it is "time to stop spending," the Tory Party continue with their plans to reduce the size of the Army by 9,000, disband RAF squadrons, close RAF stations, retire entire aircraft fleets, reduce the number of main battle tanks, denude the RN of any surface ship to ship capability for over a decade and generally bury their heads in the sands...
Ah well, thank goodness for the rest of NATO!
Ah well, thank goodness for the rest of NATO!
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Meanwhile, in the UK, after Boris Johnson publicly announces that it is "time to stop spending," the Tory Party continue with their plans to reduce the size of the Army by 9,000, disband RAF squadrons, close RAF stations, retire entire aircraft fleets, reduce the number of main battle tanks, denude the RN of any surface ship to ship capability for over a decade and generally bury their heads in the sands...
Ah well, thank goodness for the rest of NATO!
Ah well, thank goodness for the rest of NATO!
Just how many huge reviews/cutbacks have happened on their watch?
