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News | 18-02-2022 | 16:52
The Netherlands intends to provide military supplies to Ukraine. This was decided by the Cabinet today in response to Ukraine’s request for military support in the face of threats on the Ukrainian-Russian border.
The cargo includes 3,000 combat helmets, 2,000 bulletproof vests and matching armor plates, 30 metal detectors and two wire-guided detection robots for detecting land and sea mines, two ground surveillance radar systems and five weapon locating radar systems, as well as 100 sniper rifles and 30,000 rounds of ammunition.
Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra said: “The core element of the government’s efforts remains de-escalation through dialogue and diplomacy. Preventing war remains the top priority. At the same time, Ukraine must be able to defend itself against a possible armed attack by Russia on its territory. This is why the government has decided to provide these military supplies to Ukraine.” This is in addition to the political, financial and military support provided by the Netherlands in bilateral and EU/NATO contexts.
Following Ukraine’s request, the Ministry of Defence compiled a list of available military supplies, which the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs then carefully assessed against the eight criteria of the EU’s Common Position on arms exports, after which Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Liesje Schreinemacher approved the export licence.
Defense Minister Kasa Olungren said: “The Netherlands is supporting Ukraine in many ways and will also provide military supplies, as will a number of other partners. We are doing this out of solidarity and as part of a wider program with our EU and NATO allies.”
Combat helmets and bulletproof vests are used for personal protection. Metal detectors can be used to detect mines, improvised explosive devices and weapons caches. Wire-guided detection robots can be used to detect naval mines. Weapon locating radar systems can locate enemy artillery fire as it is coming and calculate the expected impact point so that troops can be warned and accurately defend themselves. Sniper rifles can accurately strike military targets at long ranges.
Ukraine is not a NATO member. Therefore, the Netherlands will not send any military personnel to Ukraine for combat missions. Some training on the use of military supplies will be carried out outside Ukraine.
Given the tense security situation on its eastern edge, NATO needs to be able to respond quickly to new developments. It has therefore further increased the readiness level of the NATO Response Force. “This ensures that NATO is prepared for all eventualities in defence of the Alliance,” said Ms Olungren. “As a result, the readiness level of the Netherlands Armed Forces is also increasing.”
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