Washington greenlights major missile deal for Dutch armed forces

The US Department of State has approved a potential Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the Netherlands involving Hellfire missiles and related equipment, with an estimated total value of $200 million.

“The Government of the Netherlands has requested to buy five hundred thirty (530) AGM-114R2 Hellfire Missiles,” the notification stated. The package also includes a range of non-major defence equipment and support services.

Among the additional items are “US Army Aviation and Missile Command Security Assistance Management Directorate technical assistance; Tactical Aviation and Ground Munitions Project Office technical assistance; non-standard books, publications, and other Hellfire publications; integration support; and other related elements of logistics and program support.”

According to the US State Department, the proposed sale is intended to strengthen a key NATO ally. “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO Ally which is an important force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.”

Officials said the deal would modernize Dutch armed forces and enhance interoperability with US and allied militaries. “The proposed sale will modernize the Netherlands’ armed forces, expand its capability to strengthen homeland defence, and deter regional threats,” the statement said, adding that it “will contribute to the Netherlands’ military goals of updating capability while further enhancing interoperability with the United States and other allies.”

The statement further noted that “the Netherlands will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces.”

Authorities also emphasized that “the proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.”

The principal contractor for the deal is identified as Lockheed Martin, based in Orlando, Florida.

The State Department added that “there will be no adverse impact on US defence readiness as a result of this proposed sale.”

By Vafa Guliyeva