THE HAGUE, — The Netherlands plans to acquire additional CV90 infantry fighting vehicles, new bridge-laying tanks and armoured support vehicles to strengthen its army for a potential large-scale conflict. State Secretary for Defence Derk Boswijk informed parliament of the planned acquisitions on October 26.
The equipment will primarily support the army’s heavy and medium infantry brigades. The programme includes combat vehicles, engineering systems, armoured support vehicles and heavy recovery platforms, with Dutch companies handling part of the assembly and maintenance.
New CV90 Battalion and €1.3 Billion Procurement
The Netherlands will acquire additional CV90 infantry fighting vehicles from BAE Systems Hägglunds through a Swedish-led joint procurement initiative involving Finland, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden. The vehicles will equip a new armoured infantry battalion at the Nassau-Dietz barracks in Budel.
The project has a budget of approximately €1.3 billion at 2026 prices, covering vehicles, initial spares, maintenance packages, ammunition and communications equipment. Contract terms have been agreed, with national commitments expected in November, subject to parliamentary approval. The joint programme aims to accelerate deliveries and improve interoperability. The Netherlands already operates CV90s undergoing a mid-life upgrade.
Kodiak Replacement and New Bridge-Laying Tanks
The Dutch Army will replace its Leopard 2-based AEV 3 Kodiak engineering vehicles, which have insufficient protection against modern and future threats. Frequent breakdowns have also reduced their availability for clearing defensive lines, minefields, walls and other obstacles.
The Netherlands will also acquire additional bridge-laying tanks to create temporary water crossings. It is expected to join a German procurement contract for the modern Leguan bridge-layer, with Germany scheduled to sign an agreement in the first quarter of 2027.
FFG to Supply Support and Recovery Vehicles
Germany’s Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft (FFG) will supply Armoured Combat Support Vehicles (ACSVs) and Wisent-2 heavy recovery vehicles.
The ACSV fleet will include ambulance, command post, minelayer and driver-training variants. Norway already operates the platform. The Wisent-2, based on the Leopard 2 chassis, will recover stranded or damaged military equipment under armoured protection.
Dutch Industry to Handle Assembly and Maintenance
Van Halteren Technologies will conduct final assembly and maintenance of the ACSV and Wisent-2 vehicles in the Netherlands. KONI Nederland and Neways Electronics will supply components, while Avient Protective Materials will provide high-performance fibres for the ACSV’s ballistic protection systems.
The cooperation is expected to support Dutch and European defence industry. The Netherlands has not disclosed the exact vehicle quantities or delivery schedules, citing operational and commercial reasons.
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