Reuters / May 18, 2023
JERUSALEM – The Israeli and Dutch Defence Ministries signed an $305 million export deal for artillery rocket systems from Israel’s Elbit Systems (ESLT.TA), Israel’s Defence Ministry said on Thursday.
“This is the first government-to-government defense exports agreement signed between Israel and the Netherlands, and one of the largest agreements signed between Israel and a European country in the past years,” the ministry said.
The ministry said it will supply Elbit’s PULS artillery rocket systems to the Royal Netherlands Army in the five-year contract.
Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch; editing by Steven Scheer
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Netherlands signs $305m deal for arms from Israel’s Elbit Systems
Middle East Monitor / May 18, 2023
Israel and the Netherlands signed a five-year arms’ deal worth $305 million, Israel’s Defence Ministry announced yesterday.
Israel’s Elbit Systems, a company which sells weapons to the Israeli military used in attacks on Palestinians, will supply 20 PULS artillery systems, including ammunition as well as training and support services.
The deal was signed by the International Defence Cooperation Directorate at Israel’s Ministry of Defence (SIBAT) General Yair Kulas in the Netherlands with his Dutch counterpart, Commander of the Royal Netherlands Army General Martin Wijnen.
“It is an honour for me to lead the first government-to-government defence contract with the Netherlands for the PULS long-range precise rocket artillery system,” said Kulas. “This significant event symbolizes the strategic relationship between our countries and constitutes an opportunity to strengthen our partnership based on mutual values and morals.”
According to The Times of Israel, there have been previous Israeli arms and defence equipment sales to the Dutch nation, but those were considered to be private deals by various companies and not government-to-government contracts.
Moreover, the arms deal is one of the largest agreements signed between Israel and a European country in recent years.
Bezhalel Machlis, president and CEO of Elbit, added in a statement: “The acquisition of Elbit Systems’ PULS solution will enhance the Royal Netherlands Army’s ability to provide effective indirect fire support. It will also provide interoperability with NATO customers that have acquired these systems.”
