Netherlands intends to include dozens of Leopard 1 tanks, Patriot missiles in aid for Ukraine

The Netherlands wants to buy several dozen more Leopard 1 tanks to deliver to Ukraine, sources said on June 1.

Additionally, the Netherlands is looking at how it can deliver more Patriot anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine, as well, according to NL Times.

The Cabinet wants to buy the tanks from their Swiss manufacturer, those involved said. In order to do so, they will have to obtain permission from the Swiss government, which has so far been reluctant to cooperate in arms deliveries.

Switzerland, which cherishes its traditional stance of neutrality, has kept out of the conflict with Russia as much as possible. It has essentially blocked the export of weapons intended for Ukraine.

The Leopard 1 is a somewhat older tank than the more advanced Leopard 2, of which Ukraine has also received dozens. Nevertheless, Kyiv can use them well in its fight against the Russian invasion, especially now that Ukraine could launch a counterattack.

Earlier this year, together with Germany and Denmark, the Netherlands bought "at least" a hundred Leopard 1A5 battle tanks for Ukraine. Those modernized tanks were bought directly from German manufacturers. They were there in storage.

The Netherlands is aiming to buy 96 more Leopard 1 units from the Swiss company Ruag, wrote the Swiss newspaper Tages-Anzeiger.
More Patriot missiles are needed, with support from more countries

The Netherlands is also examining whether it can send to Ukraine more Patriot anti-aircraft missiles, or parts to operate them. Ukraine's allies urgently need to supply the country with more anti-aircraft weaponry, Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on arrival in Moldova for the summit of European leaders. Rutte said he also hopes to persuade other countries to supply Ukraine with Patriots.

Together with Germany, the Netherlands has already supplied a Patriot missile system. The Netherlands was responsible for two launchers and a number of missiles. But Russian air strikes on military and civilian targets have continued, and air defence is also important for Ukraine's potential counter-offensive.

"We are looking very closely at what we can still do," said Rutte at the meeting at a Moldavian wine estate in Bulboaca, a few kilometres away from Ukraine. But "you can't deliver everything you've got." The Netherlands also needs advanced missiles to monitor its own airspace, for example above the Port of Rotterdam.

"We must expand" the "Patriot coalition" of countries supplying Ukraine with the missiles, Rutte said. "Of course, there are more countries that have Patriots and they are not yet delivering." He will discuss this at the summit of the European Political Community, a forum for nearly fifty European leaders.