Netherlands orders Excalibur Ib
Raytheon is to supply the Excalibur Ib precision-guided projectile to the Netherlands Ministry of Defence as part of a previously agreed foreign military sale, the company announced on 9 September.
With this order, the Netherlands has become the second European customer for the Excalibur 1b, following Sweden.
The Netherlands armed forces will use the GPS-guided artillery rounds to arm its PzH 2000 howitzers, for which the US Army has already determined compatibility. Raytheon expects to begin deliveries late 2015.
Mark Hokeness, Excalibur programme director, Raytheon, said: ‘When fired from the Dutch PzH 2000 artillery system, Excalibur can fly up to 50km, score a direct hit and deliver lethal effects in all types of weather and battlefield conditions.
‘The Netherlands joins a growing list of nations acquiring this highly sophisticated artillery munition, which uses GPS guidance to provide accurate, first-round effects capability at extended ranges.’
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
Companies downselected for British Army vehicle programme
It is believed that three companies did not make the downselect but a dark horse in Spain’s Iturri is believed to have got through.
-
Air defence offerings multiply in anticipation of emerging requirements
Air defence and counter-drone weapons continue to be developed, tested and demonstrated in anticipation of growing demand, with most solutions designed to be platform-agnostic and readily integrated onto suitable platforms.
-
September land forces roundup: DVD 2026 puts British Army requirements in the spotlight
The US Army began its search for a 155mm tracked mobile tactical cannon in an effort that Shephard forecasts could be worth billions of dollars. Meanwhile, the UK DVD exhibition saw companies showcase their offerings for the British Army’s mobility and air defence requirements.
-
FNSS advances Indonesian Kaplan APC programme as local production expands
FNSS and PT Pindad are progressing the Indonesian tracked armoured personnel carrier programme as local production gets under way.