The acquisitions aim to urgently modernise the military in response to the rapidly evolving nature of warfare.  

The Netherlands is accelerating the acquisition of new military equipment across air, land, and sea to strengthen its armed forces and bolster supply security.

In total, 17 new projects valued at over EUR1 billion have been earmarked as a priority.

The programmes, outlined to the House of Representatives in a so-called 'A-letter' on 23 April, include urgently procuring new armoured vehicles, maritime uncrewed systems, assault rifles, and multi-barrel machine guns as well as acquiring a new tactical weapon for F-35 aircraft, an air warning radar, an anti-torpedo system and replacing its MK48 heavyweight torpedo, among others.

As part of this, up to 150 armoured vehicles known as the Combat General Purpose Vehicle will be procured to bolster the combat power of the army's 43rd Mechanised Brigade, the letter to parliament detailed.

Several different variants of the vehicle are required, comprising cargo, command post, ambulance, engineering and troop transport. The military intends to award a single source contract without prior notice to escalate the procurement, with up to EUR1 billion available. Deliveries are expected between 2029-2031.

Regarding maritime uncrewed systems, the military urgently requires new uncrewed aerial vehicles and surface vessels to support anti-submarine warfare and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, the letter detailed. Up to EUR250 million is available, with the project spanning 2025-2031.

In addition, the military urgently requires its Apache AH-64E attack helicopters and Chinook transport helicopters to be modernised with new self-protection systems and armaments between 2027-2032.

For its ground forces, all assault rifles and multi-barrel machine guns must be urgently modernised the letter revealed, replacing the Colt C7 rifle and C8 carbine and the MAG 7.62mm (among other machine guns) respectively. The programme has between EUR250 million-EUR1 billion available, with first deliveries expected before 2030. 

For the navy, one of its key priorities listed in the letter involves replacing the MK48 heavyweight torpedo originally intended for its upcoming Orka-class submarines with a new, more capable torpedo. It must be capable of dealing with a combination of crewed and uncrewed systems.

It is unclear how the military will fund these urgent requirements, although, it is possible that the EU’s defence debt exemption rule, which allows members to spend beyond the traditional fiscal rules, could be used.  

This announcement follows a DKK4 billion (USD608 million) plan from Denmark to expediate military acquisitions.