Netherlands orders 9 Czech howitzers to aid Ukraine

The Netherlands to send nine self-propelled howitzers, which can hit targets tens of kilometers away. “Ukraine has a great need for this weapon,” the Netherlands Defense Ministry reported.

Feb 28, 2024 - 08:02

Netherlands orders 9 Czech howitzers to aid Ukraine

The Netherlands ordered 9 DITA self-propelled howitzers for Ukraine from two Czech arms manufacturers, the Netherlands Defense Ministry reported on 28 February.

The DITA howitzer is a modern fire system that can hit targets tens of kilometers away. “Ukraine has a great need for this weapon,” according to the statement.

The Commander of the Armed Forces (CDS) of the Netherlands, General Onno Eichelsheim, reportedly visited Czech weapons manufacturers for Ukraine the day before.

Eichelsheim also reviewed the VERA-NG, a radar surveillance system detecting aerial, maritime, and ground targets.

The CDS emphasized that supporting Ukraine remains “the highest priority for the Netherlands.”

Earlier, the Netherlands ordered 100 MR-2 anti-aircraft installations from the Czech Republic, as well as, together with the US and Denmark, 100 modernized T-72 tanks.

After the equipment passes testing, it will go directly to Ukraine.

“The MR-2 anti-aircraft gun is a simple mobile system that effectively destroys drones. The T-72 is a tank that Ukrainian soldiers are well familiar with. So they do not need additional time to train to operate the equipment,” the Ministry of Defense reported.

The Czech Republic was searching for funding among other countries to send 800,000 artillery shells to the Ukrainian military.

The Czech President Petr Pavel said that Denmark, the Netherlands, and Canada already provided resources to supply military equipment to the Czech Republic and then “quickly transport it to Ukraine.”

Read also:

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this. We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support. Become a Patron!