The block upgrade of RNLAF AH-64E combat helicopters (pictured), Chinook transport helicopters, and MSMT simulation training is being accelerated. (Dutch MoD)

Dutch State Secretary for Defence Gijs Tuinman told parliament on 24 April that the Netherlands is accelerating 17 procurement programmes. The programmes are for the land, maritime, and air domains, as well as cross-domain.

The land programmes are for the acquisition of 100–150 Combat General Purpose Vehicles (CGPVs) and the replacement of the Royal Netherlands Army’s (RNLA’s) medium girder bridges (MGBs). The CGPV requirement is for an all-terrain protected vehicle for the RNLA’s heavy 43rd Mechanised Brigade. Moreover, the vehicle is expected to be easy to operate and maintain, reliable, and suitable for combat operations.

CGPVs are planned in the troop carrier, engineer, cargo, command post (including to operate unmanned systems), ambulance, and possibly military police versions.

Projects related to the CGPV are the Foxtrot programme to modernise and replace the RNLA’s tactical communication equipment and associated information technology (IT) and to procure Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks. The latter are planned to receive combat support and combat service support partly from the CGPV.

The Dutch Ministry of Defence (MoD) plans the single-source acquisition of the CGPV without a call for bids so that it can be procured earlier and contracted and delivered quickly, between 2029 and 2031.

With the operational end of life of the RNLA’s MGBs expected in 2027, eight new systems with a higher military load class are planned to be procured, with deliveries beginning that same year.

Looking to read the full article?

Gain unlimited access to Janes news and more…