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Netherlands Orders Additional Oshkosh Defense DXPV Kaaiman Vehicles for Expeditionary Land Mobility.
The Netherlands Ministry of Defence has signed a new contract with Oshkosh Defense for additional Dutch Expeditionary Patrol Vehicles, known locally as Kaaiman. The move deepens Dutch investment in highly mobile land forces designed for expeditionary missions and NATO-aligned operations.
The Netherlands Ministry of Defence has confirmed a new procurement contract with Oshkosh Defense for additional Dutch Expeditionary Patrol Vehicles, reinforcing the Netherlands’ long-term investment in highly mobile, multi-role light armored platforms adapted to expeditionary operations. Announced in an official communication by Oshkosh Defense Europe B.V. in coordination with Oshkosh Defense, LLC, the contract is valued between 25 and 30 million US dollars and covers the delivery of new vehicles alongside dedicated training capabilities. The decision forms part of the Netherlands’ broader effort to modernize its land mobility assets in line with expeditionary requirements and NATO commitments. In Dutch service, the platform is designated Kaaiman, also referred to in some official and informal contexts as Kraaiman, and is intended to support a broad spectrum of missions within national and allied frameworks.
The Netherlands has ordered additional Kaaiman Dutch Expeditionary Patrol Vehicles from Oshkosh Defense, reinforcing its commitment to modern, highly mobile land forces built for expeditionary and NATO operations (Picture Source: OSHKOSH DEFENSE)
Beyond the vehicles themselves, the order includes two complete training kits designed to accelerate the operational integration of the DXPV within Dutch units. These systems will allow crews and maintenance personnel to train in parallel with vehicle delivery, reducing the time between handover and initial operational capability. According to Oshkosh Defense, this approach supports the Netherlands’ emphasis on shortened force generation cycles and rapid readiness, particularly in the context of joint and combined operations conducted within high-readiness NATO force structures.
The DXPV was developed specifically to meet Dutch operational requirements, drawing on a modular, open-systems design philosophy intended to preserve long-term adaptability. This architecture is designed to allow the incremental integration of mission-specific equipment throughout the vehicle’s service life rather than fixing capabilities at delivery. In practice, this includes provisions for digital command-and-control and battle management systems, secure and interoperable communications, situational awareness and sensor suites, and the integration of remotely operated weapon stations. The open architecture approach also leaves scope for future interfaces with unmanned or optionally crewed systems, reflecting a growing emphasis on manned–unmanned teaming. This design logic is consistent with broader European defence planning priorities, where open systems are increasingly viewed as essential to maintaining national sovereignty over software and mission systems, reducing lifecycle costs, and enabling faster adaptation to operational feedback without resorting to full platform replacement.
Although detailed technical specifications have not been publicly released, Oshkosh Defense has consistently framed the DXPV as a mission-built vehicle intended to strike a balance between protection, mobility, and payload in complex and fluid operational environments. The platform is intended to operate across a wide range of terrain and climatic conditions, supporting missions such as reconnaissance, patrol, command-and-control, and escort tasks, particularly in expeditionary and dispersed contexts. Its emphasis on off-road mobility, coupled with modular payload and mission equipment capacity, reflects evolving European operational concepts that prioritise rapid manoeuvre, distributed forces, and resilient digital connectivity as central elements of contemporary land warfare.
Commenting on the new contract, Pat Williams, Chief Programs Officer at Oshkosh Defense, highlighted the continuity of the bilateral relationship, noting that sustained cooperation with the Netherlands Ministry of Defence reflects a shared focus on modernization and operational effectiveness. Beyond corporate messaging, this emphasis on integrated solutions and readiness points to broader considerations such as fleet commonality, sustainment efficiency, and interoperability with allied forces deployed within multinational formations.
This latest order builds on the initial selection of the DXPV by the Netherlands in 2023, when the Ministry of Defence announced the acquisition of an initial batch of 150 vehicles as part of its Future Littoral All Terrain Mobility – Patrol Vehicle requirement. The follow-on contract marks a further step in a partnership that remains open-ended in terms of total vehicle numbers, with Dutch authorities deliberately avoiding disclosure of a final fleet size. Such incremental contracting is a common feature of European land programmes, reflecting a phased acquisition logic that allows operational feedback, budgetary adjustments, and capability refinement over time. Even at this stage, the expansion underlines the growing relevance of light armored patrol vehicles capable of combining digital integration, high mobility, and expeditionary suitability within contemporary European force structures.
As NATO member states continue to adapt their land forces to emphasize interoperability, scalability, and survivability, the Netherlands’ decision to expand its DXPV fleet signals a clear commitment to mobility-centric force design. The program also reflects a wider shift toward platforms that can be rapidly deployed, progressively upgraded, and seamlessly integrated into allied operations, contributing to deterrence, forward presence, and rapid reinforcement missions across the Euro-Atlantic area. Further details on delivery schedules, unit assignments, and operational deployment of the Kaaiman vehicles are expected as the program progresses.
Written by Teoman S. Nicanci – Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Teoman S. Nicanci holds degrees in Political Science, Comparative and International Politics, and International Relations and Diplomacy from leading Belgian universities, with research focused on Russian strategic behavior, defense technology, and modern warfare. He is a defense analyst at Army Recognition, specializing in the global defense industry, military armament, and emerging defense technologies.