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.”
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