Dutch reverse MBT decision
The Royal Netherlands Army (RNLA) is planning to reinstate a limited tank capability, it has emerged.
Shephard has learned that the Dutch military has commenced recruiting new personnel that will start operating 17 KMW Leopard 2A6 MBTs that have been stored since 2011.
Forming a separate squadron, these tanks are planned to be integrated into a joint German-Netherlands armoured battalion that will be based in the Bergen Hohne training area in Germany.
Forced by austerity measures as a result of the financial crisis, the Dutch military decided to withdraw the last of its Leopard 2 tanks in mid 2011, a
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Land Warfare
-
DroneShield signs agreements and US contract in the face of surging demand
DroneShield has been at the forefront of CUAS capability despite being founded only 12 years ago. The company’s early move into the counter-drone arena has put it on the crest of the rapidly expanding technology field.
-
Eurosatory 2026: As MGCS stalls, has Europe’s new MBT been unveiled?
Eurosatory 2026 saw a number of main battle tanks on display, including two new platforms which could be the future of European tanks.
-
Eurosatory 2026: MARSS and parent company EOS expand air defence capability
MARSS became part of EOS Defence earlier this year, bringing together the former’s C2 NiDAR and Nation Shield air defence products with the latter’s suite of effectors and sensors.
-
Eurosatory 2026: Pearson Engineering to send AI mine detecting systems into Ukraine
Pearson Engineering’s Threat-Sense system is designed to use imaging from drones to geolocate scattered mines and support uncrewed systems in defeating the threats.