US approves $2.19 billion arms deal to strengthen Dutch Navy

The US State Department has officially greenlighted a potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Netherlands, valued at an estimated $2.19 billion.

This deal, which was confirmed by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on April 25, 2025, marks a major step in enhancing the Royal Netherlands Navy’s precision strike capabilities, Caliber.Az reports via foreign website dedicated to the defence and security industry.

Under the proposed sale, the Netherlands has requested up to 163 Tomahawk cruise missiles, including Block V All-Up Rounds (AURs), 12 Block IV AURs, two Block IV telemetry missiles, and 10 Tactical Tomahawk Weapons Control Systems (TTWCS).

Additionally, the package includes satellite data link terminals, secure communication devices, mission distribution software, missile containers, technical and logistical support, spare parts, training equipment, and transportation services. RTX Corporation, headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, will serve as the principal contractor for this program. 

This procurement represents a significant upgrade to the Netherlands' long-range strike capabilities, enabling the Dutch Navy to project power more effectively and flexibly. The Tomahawk missile, renowned for its long stand-off range and pinpoint accuracy, offers a decisive advantage in modern warfare scenarios. The Royal Netherlands Navy plans to integrate these missiles into its fleet, particularly on De Zeven Provinciën-class air-defense and command frigates (LCFs) and their future replacements. 

This acquisition will position the Netherlands as one of the few European naval forces with deep-strike land attack capabilities, providing operational flexibility within NATO and coalition operations. The sale includes two versions of the Tomahawk missile: the Block IV Tactical Tomahawk, which allows mid-flight retargeting, loitering over targets, and flexible mission planning, and the more advanced Block V, featuring enhanced navigation, electronic warfare resilience, and improved penetration of integrated air defense systems. 

The Tomahawk missile itself is a long-range, all-weather, subsonic cruise missile capable of traveling over 1,600 kilometers at low altitudes. It utilizes a combination of GPS guidance, inertial navigation, and terrain contour matching (TERCOM) for exceptional accuracy. With its ability to reprogram in-flight to change targets or abort missions, the Tomahawk offers unmatched operational flexibility for deep-strike operations in contested environments. The DSCA assures that the Netherlands will be able to integrate the new missile systems seamlessly into its military structure. 

This sale underscores the Netherlands' commitment to modernizing its defense capabilities and ensuring interoperability with key NATO allies. In addition to the missile systems, the deal includes offset agreements that will promote industrial collaboration between the United States and the Netherlands. Dutch defense industries are expected to benefit from participation in the support and sustainment phases of the program, strengthening technological development and strategic ties between the two nations. 

This acquisition highlights the Netherlands' determination to maintain a modern, capable, and highly interoperable navy, ready to address both current and future security challenges in an increasingly complex global security environment.

By Naila Huseynova