Netherlands Buys More CV90s, Bridgelayers, Support Vehicles
The Dutch Ministry of Defence said the army will get additional CV90 combat vehicles, more bridge-laying tanks, obstacle-breaching vehicles, new armoured support vehicles and heavy recovery vehicles. State Secretary Derk Boswijk informed parliament in writing on 26 October; quantities, costs and delivery dates were not disclosed.
What Is Being Bought
The ministry cites the need for enough combat power in the event of a possible large-scale conflict; the new equipment mainly strengthens the heavy and medium-heavy infantry brigades. The package includes:
- CV90: for a new armoured infantry battalion to be set up at Nassau-Dietz Barracks in Budel; bought jointly with other countries under Swedish leadership, which the ministry says speeds up delivery and strengthens cooperation with European allies.
- Bridge-laying tanks: more vehicles that lay temporary spans over water; the Netherlands will probably join an existing German contract.
- Kodiak replacement: the Leopard 2-based Kodiak engineer vehicle is outdated, not robust enough against current and future threats, and malfunctions limit its availability. Reliable vehicles able to clear a wide range of obstacles will replace it.
- FFG vehicles: Germany’s Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft ACSV tracked support vehicle (variants include ambulance, command post, minelayer and driver trainer; Norway already uses it) and the Wisent-2 heavy recovery vehicle.
Share for Dutch Industry
According to the ministry, Van Halteren Technologies will assemble and maintain the ACSV and recovery vehicles in the Netherlands, while KONI Nederland and Neways Electronics will supply parts.
Background
In December 2025 the Netherlands set aside between €1 billion and €2.5 billion from its investment budget for additional CV90s, bought through the Swedish-led joint programme that also includes Estonia, Finland, Lithuania and Norway.
Note
The report rests on the Dutch Ministry of Defence’s 26 October announcement. Vehicle numbers, total cost and delivery schedule were not disclosed, and there is no direct quote from Boswijk.
Originally reported by Envanter Medya.
