Netherlands to give at least 10 years support to Ukraine and making 24 F16’s ready for delivery + spare parts and munitions. 🇳🇱🇺🇦

10 comments

1. I don’t want to be rude, but this article is almost 4 weeks old.

2. security agreement with Ukraine
   News item | 23-02-2024 | 15:29

   The Netherlands will soon conclude a security agreement with Ukraine for the next 10 years. This agreement is a signal from the government that the Netherlands wants to support Ukraine for a longer period of time.

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   On July 12 last year, the Netherlands announced that, like the G7, it would make agreements with Ukraine on security, so-called security arrangements. This happened during the NATO summit in Vilnius. Since then, the Netherlands has been in discussions with Ukraine to give substance to this. The security agreement includes agreements on medium- and long-term military support and cooperation to strengthen the defense industry. They are also about increasing Ukraine’s (cyber) resilience and strengthening the interoperability of the Ukrainian army with NATO.

   Ollongren: “Ukraine is not only fighting for its freedom and security, but also for ours, for the whole of Europe. With the security agreement that we as the government are announcing today, we are making agreements with Ukraine about joint freedom for the next 10 years. Ukraine must be assured that it can count on our support not only in the short term, but also in the long term. The Netherlands, together with international partners, supports Ukraine in strengthening the IT infrastructure and training Ukrainian defense personnel in several areas. With this security agreement, the Netherlands is also sending a strong signal to the Kremlin.”

   To date, the Netherlands has provided more than €2.8 billion in military support
   To date, the Netherlands has provided more than €2.8 billion in military support, the government also reported in a letter to the House of Representatives today. This support consists of financial contributions to international funds, such as the International Fund for Ukraine. But also from the supply of weapons, ammunition and equipment directly to Ukraine (from our own stock and together with the industry). In addition, the support consists of deliveries together with various coalitions of partner countries. This is done in close consultation with Ukraine and allies.

   Ukraine has inflicted heavy losses on the front, in the air and around and in the Black Sea to the Russian aggressor since the invasion. Nevertheless, the situation on the ground is still very worrying. To drive out Putin’s troops, the country has a great need for equipment and especially ammunition to be able to operate effectively. International support plays a crucial role in this.

   “Security and freedom are not free,” says Ollongren. “Ukraine must beat Russia. We know what the Russian aggressor did in the areas that Ukraine has managed to liberate since the summer. We can thus imagine what may now be happening in the occupied territories in the east and south. That is why we support Ukraine in their struggle. It is essential to continue and intensify military support to Ukraine, not least because Ukraine is also fighting for our freedom.”

   24 F-16 aircraft
   The Netherlands, together with Denmark and the United States, leads the air force coalition of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG). The cabinet has decided to prepare 24 F-16 aircraft for delivery. To keep the aircraft deployable, Defense is also working in this coalition on a broad support package with spare parts and ammunition.

   Trainings
   The Netherlands has contributed to 24 different training programs. This includes basic training, such as Interflex. So far, almost 35,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been prepared for combat in their country. Ukrainian naval personnel are currently being trained in the Netherlands on the mine hunters that will become available to the Ukrainian navy from 2025.

   The Netherlands also contributed to specialist training and to collective company, battalion, and staff and leadership training.

   The minister is proud of the work that Defense does to support Ukraine. “Over the past 2 years, Defense has worked hard at all levels and in various locations to organize support for Ukraine. I am grateful and very proud of these colleagues and everything they have achieved, while at the same time we are working hard to strengthen the armed forces.”

3. Hurry. Up.

4. Holland wakes up. Well done.

5. Dutchie here. This is some of the best tax money I’ve ever spent. Now make them count!

6. 24 is unfortunately 1/4 of whats needed. Especially if you consider the stress these planes will endure.

7. We hate Russia and we don’t forget.

8. In 2 months it will be a year of F-16 pledging by the Netherlands…

9. Russia is so fucked.

   Putin only has one option, and that is to pull out and hang himself.

10. I hope they get sufficient materiel for many SEAD missions.