The Dutch Land Forces are thus once again underscoring their close cooperation with the German Army
The Royal Dutch Armed Forces will once again have their own LEOPARD 2 main battle tanks. At the Bernardkazerne in Amersfoort, the Netherlands, the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment (BAAINBw), on behalf of the Dutch procurement agency Commando Materieel en IT (COMMIT), signed a contract with KNDS Deutschland for the procurement of LEOPARD 2 A8 main battle tanks.
Based on the framework agreement established by the BAAINBw, which allows other countries to procure the LEOPARD 2 in the A8 configuration, the Dutch Army will receive 46 LEOPARD 2 A8 main battle tanks with an option for six additional systems.
For the first time since the abolition of main battle tanks in 2011, the Dutch Armed Forces will once again have their own tank battalion. The systems will be stationed in Lohheide, Lower Saxony. Since 2016, approximately 3,000 Dutch soldiers have been integrated into the 1st Armored Division.
The LEOPARD 2 main battle tank has been introduced in 15 European countries and is a symbol of interoperability, successful standardization, and Europeanization. The LEOPARD 2 has 23 user countries worldwide.
