The Israeli Ministry of Defense and the Dutch Ministry of Defense signed a first defense export agreement between the countries, for the supply of artillery rocket launcher systems manufactured by ‘Elbit Systems’, in the amount of over 1.1 billion NIS (305 million dollars).
The Minister of Defense, Yoav Galant, approved the agreement drawn up under the leadership of the Director General of the Ministry of Defense Major General (res.) Eyal Zamir and which was signed yesterday (Wednesday) in the Netherlands by the head of the Defense Export Division, ‘Sivet’, Brigadier General (res.) Yair Koles, with Commander of the land arm of the Dutch army, Lieutenant General MH (Martin) Wijnen MMAS.
Photo: Dutch Ministry of Defense
This is the first defense export agreement between Israel and the Netherlands (GTG) and one of the largest signed with a European country in recent years. The Ministry of Defense will sell to the Dutch army artillery rocket systems manufactured by ‘Elbit Systems’, of the Precise & Universal Launching System (PULS) type. The $305 million contract will be implemented over a period of five years.
As part of the contract, Elbit Systems will supply 20 PULS artillery rocket launcher systems as well as a package of rockets and missiles with different ranges and training and support services.
Elbit’s PULS system provides a comprehensive and cost-effective solution that supports the firing of both free rockets and precision guided rockets and missiles, at ranges ranging from 12 km to 300 km. The PULS launcher is a launcher that can be fully integrated and mounted on a wide variety of wheeled and crawler platforms, an ability that enables a significant reduction in maintenance and training costs for existing platform fleets.
Defense Minister Yoav Galant: “The defense system continues to bring national pride and international success to the State of Israel. Thanks to the security solutions that are developed and produced in the defense industries, we are strengthening ties with the countries of the world, strengthening our security and strengthening Israel’s position. I welcome the important agreement signed with The Dutch Ministry of Defense is convinced that we will continue to deepen the ties between the countries.”
The head of ‘Sivet’ at the Ministry of Defense, Brigadier General (Ret.) Yair Coles said at the signing ceremony in the Netherlands: “It is a great privilege for me to lead the first export agreement between the ministries of defense and defense of Israel and the Netherlands, for the supply of artillery rocket launcher systems. This is a significant turning point that symbolizes the strategic relationship between our countries, an agreement that is an opportunity to strengthen our partnership based on shared values. I wish all of us, the Dutch Ministry of Defense, the Elbit Systems company and the Israeli Ministry of Defense, to continue and deepen the cooperation in other areas.”
