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| Protest tegen wapenbeurs Rotterdam, 20 november 2014. Photo: Martin Broek |
In the spring of 2022 the Netherlands
provided the only license that year for the export of military
products to Israel larger than €10 million of “parts
guided projectiles and missile engines.” There was only
one other license of a meagre €75.000 for the export of technology
for AT-missiles (probably they are both for Spike missiles).
On
the aspect of dual
use exports in 2022 there are two remarkable sets of similar
products exported: optical technology (to observe in and around
wildlife parks, many
are close to the West-Bank) and exports of semiconductor
technology.
Dutch military transit in the
period 2020-2022 contains only one example of a Israel related
transport. It is a shipment of about 680,000 7.62mm bullets from
Israel to the United States, passing the Dutch harbour of Rotterdam
in September 2020. In February 2021, the Dutch government provided a
transit license for ammunition
of mixed calibres from the US to Israel, value €600,000
.
Bagira
Military cooperation however is
much larger. Bagira
produces simulation for training. The Bagira website states the
company “works in collaboration with Van
Halteren Metaal Defence,” a Dutch civil military company.
Products go both ways: howitzer training (a collaboration in
2012 still prevented by the Dutch government but apparently now
allowed), the common development of a Chemical,
Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) training center and
the sale of Fire
Support simulation used a few years ago in Dutch army camp ’t
Harde in an excersise with Germany and Belgium.
Simulation
scenario’s are based on real live operations: “An operation
in the heart of Gaza, a patrol along the Lebanese border, a West Bank
roadblock, and an extrication mission from deep behind enemy lines –
the simulators at the IDF [Israeli Defence Force] Ground Training
Center at the Tze’elim base prepare IDF commanders for various
combat scenarios from the comfort of an air-conditioned room,”
brags an article on military simulation by Bagira under the title
‘As Close as it Gets to Enemy Territory.’ The cooperation can
be seen in the reports on military
export licenses as temporarily exported simulation
technology.
Vehicles and counter drone technology
In
2021 BAE Systems Hägglunds involved Israel’s Elbit Systems in the
mid-life
upgrade of Dutch CV90 armoured vehicles.
Recently
Dutch armed forces ordered a system against small, low flying drones
to be added on standard assault rifles. The Israeli company Smart
Shooter advertised
it as “combat-proven”. In
2021 Elbit won a €21.9 million contract for vehicular tactical
computers for the Dutch army.
Elbit Woensdrecht
Elbit
Systems of America is a full daughter company of the Israeli arms
company. Since 2011 it has a branch based at Logistiek Centrum
Woensdrecht. Elbit uses the location to maintain F-16 fighter jets
and also the F-35. The activities still grow: “Our portfolio
for special mission aircraft services and solutions is constantly
expanding. By combining our maintenance expertise with Elbit Systems’
advanced military flight training capabilities, we offer defence
customers a complete solution,” Roland van Dijk, Co-CEO of
Fokker Services Group said
late 2022.
Elbit rocket launcers
In april 2023 the Dutch Ministry of
Defence annnounced
the purchase of PULS Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) from
Israeli defence company Elbit Systems. The system is chosen over the
American HIMARS beacuse it can carry more missiles, is available
earlier and make it possible to purchase more rockets with the
budget. Other European countries like Denmark and probably Germany
will also buy the Israeli system, which offers possibilities fur
future cooperation on European-made ammunition.
Note:
See for
the last report by Stop Wapenhandel on Dutch Israeli defence
industrial relations Combat
proven Nederlandse militaire relaties met Israël, Stop
Wapenhandel June 20216.(English
Summary: Combat proven – Military reations between Israel and
the Netherlands.)
(Here
this text in Dutch)
This blog is an annex to a text on the numerous deliverances by the Israeli arms industry since March written for Stop Wapenhandel.
