# Netherlands military readiness and procurement

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/netherlands-military-readiness-and-procurement
> Updated: 2026-11-01T00:12:35.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 3.

The Netherlands is addressing gaps in its military readiness through both infrastructure assessments and equipment procurement. A report from the Netherlands Court of Audit indicates that the nation’s road and rail networks do not currently meet NATO standards for the large-scale transport of heavy military equipment. The report warns that while detours are currently possible, wartime mobilization could paralyze civilian traffic, and estimates that at least €5 billion is required specifically to meet military requirements, such as reinforcing bridges and raising viaducts.

In response to the risk of large-scale conflict, the Dutch Ministry of Defence has announced plans to acquire several types of heavy tracked vehicles to bolster the combat potential of infantry brigades. State Secretary for Defence Derk Boswijk informed parliament that these purchases will primarily bolster the army’s heavy and medium infantry brigades. This includes a Swedish-led international initiative to acquire additional CV9035NL infantry fighting vehicles, which will support the formation of a new armored infantry battalion to be established at the Nassau-Dietz barracks in Budel.

Furthermore, the military aims to replace its aging Kodiak engineering vehicles. Officials noted that the Kodiak vehicles, based on the Leopard 2 chassis, are outdated, suffer from frequent mechanical failures, and lack sufficient protection against modern battlefield threats like minefields. The replacement program includes the acquisition of bridge-laying tanks, tracked support vehicles, and heavy recovery vehicles. The Netherlands is expected to join a German contract for bridge-laying tanks, with Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft (FFG) supplying armored combat support vehicles and Wisent-2 heavy recovery vehicles. Dutch industry, including Van Halteren Technologies, will handle part of the assembly and maintenance work.

## Timeline

### 2026-11-01: Netherlands to acquire CV90 infantry fighting vehicles and heavy equipment

The Netherlands is purchasing CV90 infantry fighting vehicles and new engineering equipment, including bridge-laying tanks, to modernize its army and prepare for large-scale conflict.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/netherlands-to-acquire-cv90-infantry-fighting-vehicles-and-heavy-equipment

### 2026-10-27: Netherlands to expand military capabilities with new armored vehicles

The Netherlands is upgrading its military by procuring new CV90 infantry fighting vehicles and replacing outdated Kodiak engineering vehicles to prepare for large-scale combat scenarios.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/netherlands-announces-procurement-of-five-types-of-heavy-tracked-vehicles

### 2026-10-13: Netherlands infrastructure lacks readiness for large-scale military transport

The Netherlands Court of Audit reports that Dutch roads and rails require €9.5 billion in upgrades to meet NATO standards for large-scale military transport during wartime.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/netherlands-infrastructure-lacks-readiness-for-large-scale-military-transport

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Cite as: Netherlands military readiness and procurement. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/netherlands-military-readiness-and-procurement