The Netherlands is allocating more than 150 million euros for the purchase of air-to-ground ammunition for Ukrainian F-16 aircraft and more than 200 million euros for the purchase of drones.
According to the Dutch Ministry of Defense, the ammunition will be purchased directly from the industry. Defense Minister Keesa Ollongren announced this after yesterday’s meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine’s Defense.
In addition, the Netherlands is sending (out of the previously promised) F-16 fighter jets to Romania. The planes will be used in a training center for Ukrainian and Romanian pilots. This includes not only the aircraft themselves, but also all related spare parts and ammunition.
The Netherlands leads the Ramstein Air Force coalition along with Denmark and the United States. 18 Dutch F-16s have been made available for training in Romania. The remaining 24 Dutch F-16s are intended for delivery to Ukraine. Some of them are currently being prepared in coordination with coalition partners.
The Ministry of Defense also informed that the Netherlands is allocating more than 200 million euros for the purchase of drones. It is planned to purchase a significant number of ISR (Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance) drones and transfer them to Ukraine, which will be done in coordination with other partners and the Ukrainian armed forces.
“These drones are already in use and have proven themselves on the battlefield,” said Minister Ollongren.
