Dutch to substantially boost C2 capability with planned $1.4 billion radio purchase
The AN/PRC-163 is in service with US Special Forces and has been approved for sale to the Netherlands. (Photo: L3Harris)
The radios to be bought are already widely used across several NATO countries, as well as Australia, New Zealand and Niger.
The Netherlands is set to buy US$1.4 billion of L3Harris radios under a Foreign Military Sales request approved by the US State Department and notified by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency to the US Congress for its approval.
The deal is for five types of radios – AN/PRC-117G, AN/PRC-152A, AN/PRC-160, AN/PRC-163, AN/PRC-167 – and supporting equipment and services. The latter two radios include tactical key loaders, network encryptors, government and contractor technical assistance, spares and other related elements of logistics and programme support.
The AN/PRC-117G is a Type 1 multi-band, multi-mission radio with US/NATO standardised waveforms and wideband data capabilities. A member of the Falcon III family, it is a manpack tactical software-defined radio that provides wideband data capabilities and interoperability with fielded waveforms.
Related Articles
USSOCOM orders more Falcon IV radios
L3Harris enables better communication for British soldiers
US Marine Corps enhances tactical comms with L3Harris radio contracts
The radio has already seen in service with the Netherlands and four other NATO countries, as well as Niger.
The AN/PRC-152 single-channel, multi-band, multi-mission handheld radio provides a transition to JTRS technology and is in service with Australia, Niger, five NATO members and other countries. If the deal goes ahead it will be the first of the type for the Netherlands.
The AN/PRC-160 is a Type 1-certified manpack HF SDR which offers beyond-line-of-sight communication in GPS-denied environments and offers a higher data rate than its predecessors.
The AN/PRC-163 is a multi-channel, handheld SDR already in service with the Netherlands and 1,300 have been ordered by the UK and 1,540 by the US. Selected by US Special Operations Command for its Special Operations Forces in 2015, the radio completed its Critical Design Review in October 2016.
The AN/PRC-167 is a dual-channel manpack radio that supports high-speed mobile ad-hoc network operations and has built-in GPS support and satellite communications capability. According to the manufacturer, it has been designed for dismounted and vehicular missions.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![CAVS rides a wave and prepares for surge requirements as orders roll in]()
CAVS rides a wave and prepares for surge requirements as orders roll in
The Common Armoured Vehicle System is continuing to rack up orders as the British Army looks likely to become an operator of the vehicle, while Italy and Ireland are also contenders.
-
![US DoD task force’s DroneHunter acquisition lays groundwork for Replicator 2 CUAS strategy]()
US DoD task force’s DroneHunter acquisition lays groundwork for Replicator 2 CUAS strategy
As the US Department of Defense looks to counter the growing threat of uncrewed aerial systems to improve homeland security, the DroneHunter acquisition could point to future commercial innovation.
-
![Norway opts for Hanwha’s Chunmoo for long-range fires under $2 billion deal]()
Norway opts for Hanwha’s Chunmoo for long-range fires under $2 billion deal
The selection of Hanwha’s K239 Chunmoo long-range precision fires system, with a contract expected to be signed on 30 January, makes Norway the second European country to choose the system. It is expected an operational system will be in service within four years.
-
![Land forces review: Tanks, trucks and IFVs dominate but woes remain for Ajax]()
Land forces review: Tanks, trucks and IFVs dominate but woes remain for Ajax
This year has begun with main battle tanks taking the lead while orders for large logistics and support vehicles continued from last year. Additionally, two of the British Army’s most significant contracted vehicle programmes, Ajax reconnaissance vehicle and Challenger 3 tank, continued to make news in January.
-
![Canada looking to expedite purchase of armoured fighting vehicle and a new tank]()
Canada looking to expedite purchase of armoured fighting vehicle and a new tank
Canada is improving its Leopard main battle tank fleet but before this is fully completed, it is expected to begin looking for new vehicles.
-
![Layered protection: How air defence is adapting to rising drone and missile threats (podcast)]()
Layered protection: How air defence is adapting to rising drone and missile threats (podcast)
A surge in aerial threats – from advanced missiles to low-cost drones – is reshaping the way militaries approach air defence, driving demand for flexible, multi-layered solutions.
