The Netherlands to upgrade self-propelled howitzers and IFVs.

The Netherlands State Secretary for Defense Barbara Visser announced on October 12 that two weapons systems fielded by the Dutch Army will be put through mid-life updates (MLUs) starting in 2020. The platforms involved are Panzerhouwitser 2000NL (PzH2000NL) 155mm self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) and CV90 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs).

Dutch army Panzerhouwitzer 2000NL (Picture source: Dutch MoD)

According to the Dutch Ministry of Defense the PzH2000NL SPHs will undergo an MLU beginning in 2020 in conjunction with Germany, which also uses the platform. The cost will be between €25 and €100 million and once completed will ensure the systems service lives are usable through 2035-2039. The Dutch Army currently fields 18 of these SPHs procured from Germany's Krauss-Maffei Wegmann in 2002 and which entered service beginning in 2005. Originally the Netherlands acquired 57 PzH2000NLs, but during the force restructuring and downsizing undertaken after the 2009 financial crisis some 32 units were put up for sale in an effort to free up financial space for the country's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter combat aircraft acquisition.

Regarding the CV90 IFVs, these will begin the MLU process in 2022 at the cost of around €250 million ($289 million) to €1 billion ($1.16 billion). The Netherlands hopes to solicit a partnering country in the process. Work is to wrap up by 2026 and ensure the IFV fleet remains sufficiently operable out to 2039. The Dutch Army currently fields 170 of these vehicles, which were purchased from Hagglunds in 2004 and delivered into service between 2009 and 2011.