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The Netherlands will join Denmark and Germany in supplying more than 100 Leopard 1A5 main battle tanks, spare parts, and ammunition to Ukraine.
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Dutch Minister of Defence Kajsa Ollongren and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wopke Hoekstra confirmed the military equipment plan while speaking at the House of Representatives on 7 February.
The Netherlands Ministry of Defence will also provide instructors to contribute to the training of Ukrainian personnel.
All three countries will purchase the Leopard 1A5s directly from German suppliers and commit additional refurbished tanks which have been kept in storage, according to Minister Ollongren.
The war in Ukraine is in a crucial phase and it’s expected that fighting will intensify in the coming months, Minister Ollongren said in her address.
Russia is continuing its mobilisation and there are signs that it is preparing a new offensive. Supplying main battle tanks is of importance in maintaining Ukraine’s staying power, improving its position on the battlefield and ultimately ensuring Ukraine’s existence as a sovereign state, she said.
The supply of Leopard 1A5s will be considered separate to the potential transfer of modern Leopard 2A6 to Ukraine, in which discussions are still ongoing.
The defence ministers from each country will meet again in Brussels on 14 February prior to the meeting of NATO defence ministers to further discuss the potential for a Leopard 2 transfer.
