Purchase of new tanks will give Dutch businesses hundreds of millions of euros boost

The Dutch government’s purchase of 46 new Leopard 2A8 tanks is projected to bring hundreds of millions of euros in revenue to Dutch companies, according to demissionary Defense State Secretary Gijs Tuinman. The deal requires around 100 components for the tanks to be manufactured in the Netherlands, according to the Ministry of Defense.

Tuinman said the arrangement demonstrates the benefits of involving domestic suppliers. “This shows that engaging the Dutch industry pays off,” he said. “Local Dutch companies will produce a hundred parts.” The tanks are being acquired from KNDS, the Franco-German defense manufacturer, but the cabinet negotiated that the Dutch industry would play a direct role to "speed and strengthen" production.

The family-owned company Van Halteren Technologies, based in Bunschoten, will take on a central role by producing the heavy motor and transmission systems for the tanks. Tuinman confirmed the company’s collaboration with KNDS will allow lead times for critical subassemblies to drop from more than a year to a few months. “Van Halteren Technologies will scale up to achieve this,” he said. “It not only accelerates and reinforces production capacity for the German producer and for the defense industry in the Netherlands, but also for clients in third countries.”

While the purchase helps bolster Dutch manufacturing, it also reflects an urgent need to reinforce the military due to heightened Russian threats. Demissionary Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans previously said there was no choice but to buy tanks abroad because this was the only way to acquire them quickly.

The new tanks will equip a newly established Dutch tank battalion. The total budget for the acquisition ranges between 1 billion and 2.5 billion euros, with Defense officials estimating that about 600 million euros will ultimately go to Dutch companies.

Van Halteren Technologies, established in 1969 by Aart van Halteren, has grown into a major supplier for the Dutch military while remaining largely out of the public eye. The company employs more than 1,000 people at sites in Bunschoten, Hattemerbroek, and Boxtel. Director Izaak Veerman said the company’s low profile reflected a time when defense was “less socially acceptable.” “We don’t necessarily need to step forward saying, ‘Look at all we do,’” Veerman said in his first interview.

In addition to the Leopard, Van Halteren builds and maintains other large weapons systems. The company makes the turret of the Pantserhouwitser 2000NL, a German-made self-propelled howitzer that can fire 155 mm shells up to 50 kilometers from the rear areas. Ten of these howitzers were recently donated by the Netherlands to Ukraine.

Veerman said he follows reports about Leopard tanks deployed in Ukraine only through the media. “I have seen exercises with the Leopard. When it comes driving in, it really makes an impact,” he said. “That engine is probably the most powerful available on land.”

Despite their reputation, Leopards have limitations. A tanker named Mike, speaking during a training exercise in Lithuania, described them as reliable but demanding. “It’s a weapon with advantages and also limitations,” Mike told De Telegraaf. “Sometimes you spend weeks on maintenance. If you take corners too sharply, the tracks come off. But if you’re a bit careful, it won’t break down easily. When everything works, this is the best job there is.”

Beyond tracked vehicles, Van Halteren also hopes to participate in building four new submarines—the Orka, Barracuda, Tiger Shark, and Zwaardvis—ordered by the Dutch Navy last year.