Netherlands Signs Multiyear Deal With German Defense Firm Rheinmetall for Hand Grenades Production.

Rheinmetall announced on January 30, 2026, that it has signed a multiyear framework agreement with the Dutch Ministry of Defence to produce and supply hand grenades. The deal supports the Netherlands’ push to secure reliable ammunition supplies through long-term European industrial partnerships.

German defense manufacturer Rheinmetall confirmed on January 30, 2026, that it had entered into a new multi-year framework agreement with the Dutch Ministry of Defence for the production and delivery of hand grenades. According to the company, the contract spans roughly 15 grenade variants. It is structured to provide the Netherlands with a stable, scalable supply of infantry munitions as part of a broader modernization and resilience effort across its armed forces.
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Hand grenades manufactured by the Germany Company Rheinmetall as part of a new multiyear supply agreement with the Dutch Army to enhance infantry capabilities and ensure long-term ammunition availability. (Picture source: Rheinmetall)

The agreement, initially valid for five years with an option to extend for an additional two, is valued in the double-digit million-euro range. Although no exact figure has been disclosed, the deal's structure emphasizes flexibility in ordering, allowing the Dutch Army to adapt procurement volumes to mission-specific requirements or evolving operational tempos. Rheinmetall will produce the grenades at its specialized ammunition plants in Trittau and Silberhütte in Germany, as well as in Schwanenstadt, Austria.

This contract represents a continuation of the Netherlands’ expanding ammunition partnership with Rheinmetall, following prior agreements for 155mm artillery shells and 40mm grenades. These long-term supply arrangements are designed to reinforce national readiness and ensure stockpile availability for both training and operational contingencies. By securing consistent deliveries across multiple ammunition categories, the Dutch Ministry of Defence is effectively insulating itself from global supply chain disruptions and increasing its strategic autonomy within NATO.

The types of grenades covered by the framework include both offensive and defensive models, likely incorporating modern fuzing technologies and enhanced safety features. Manufactured to meet NATO’s latest safety and performance standards, these munitions are intended to support a full spectrum of missions, from conventional infantry combat to urban operations and multinational deployments. The production sites involved are certified for high-volume output and specialize in energetics handling and safety-critical assembly processes.

With production spread across multiple European sites, the contract also supports Rheinmetall’s strategy of maintaining a decentralized but coordinated manufacturing base. This industrial model ensures continuity of supply in case of regional disruptions and strengthens the defense technological and industrial base (DTIB) of Europe as a whole. For the Dutch Army, the partnership ensures guaranteed access to domestically unavailable munitions, reducing dependence on transatlantic supply chains.

The framework contract also reflects a broader trend among European NATO members, who are increasingly turning to predictable, scalable ammunition contracts to prepare for high-intensity conflict. The war in Ukraine has prompted urgent reassessments of legacy procurement models, with greater emphasis now placed on redundancy, stockpile agility, and rapid delivery timelines.

Rheinmetall’s growing role as a pan-European munitions supplier is directly tied to its investment in modular production capabilities and long-term reliability as a strategic partner. This latest deal with the Netherlands is not only a confirmation of Rheinmetall’s logistical capacity but also a sign of increasing intra-European defense integration. The Netherlands, which continues to expand its defense budget and operational commitments, is aligning its procurement strategy with partners capable of delivering high-volume munitions over sustained periods.

The hand grenade contract stands out as a critical component in this evolving procurement architecture. Though often less visible than armored vehicles or artillery systems, hand grenades remain an essential element of infantry effectiveness, particularly in close-quarters combat and asymmetric environments. Ensuring their availability across training and deployment cycles is central to maintaining tactical readiness.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.