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The Royal Dutch Armed Forces will once again have their own Leopard 2 main battle tanks under a recent agreement with defence manufacturer KNDS Deutschland.
The agreement signed, on behalf of the Dutch procurement agency Commando Materieel en IT, between the Netherlands and the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment will involve the procurement of Leopard 2 A8 main battle tanks.
Based on the framework agreement established by the BAAINBw, which allows other countries to procure the Leopard 2 in the A8 configuration, the Dutch Army will receive 46 Leopard 2 A8 main battle tanks with an option for six additional systems pending decision in 2027.
For the first time since the abolition of main battle tanks in 2011, the Dutch Armed Forces will once again have their own tank battalion. The systems will be stationed in Lohheide, Lower Saxony.
Since 2016, approximately 3,000 Dutch soldiers have been integrated into the 1st Armoured Division.
“The Dutch Land Forces are thus once again underscoring their close cooperation with the German Army. The Leopard 2 main battle tank has been introduced in 15 European countries and is a symbol of interoperability, successful standardisation, and Europeanisation. The Leopard 2 has 23 user countries worldwide,” a statement from KNDS Deutschland said.
The first new Leopard 2 A8 should arrive in 2028, while the last is expected to arrive in 2031. In addition to the tanks, the necessary spare parts, special tools and equipment, various factory training courses and documentation are being acquired.
The Netherlands is also acquiring four Leopard 2 A8 driver training vehicles intended for a driving and recovery training centre.
“With the current threat of large-scale conflict, the tank is an indispensable tool. And when you stand next to it, you immediately understand why,” Netherlands State Secretary Gijs Tuinman said (translated).
“The Leopard is one big chunk of combat power. This is the best there is in the field of tanks. Inside, the crew and advanced systems and sensors form a unit with an awesome striking power. A power that, combined with smart action, is difficult to stop. The Leopard remains the king of the battlefield.”
