News item | 11-09-2025 | 16:56
The cabinet has shifted part of the budget for military support to Ukraine from 2026 to this year. So there is an accelerated budget to achieve support for Ukraine. Since the start of the large -scale Russian invasion in 2022, the cabinet has estimated around € 13.6 billion in military support. The Netherlands shows that it remains behind Ukraine opposite Russian aggression. Defense minister Ruben Brekelmans tells the House of Representatives by letter.
Brekelmans: ” ‘Unclear waves of Russian attacks ravage Ukraine, both on the front line and through air strikes throughout the country. It is extremely important that we continue to enable Ukrainian forces to defend themselves against this. This much needed support must become available so quickly. When Russia is stronger, it threatens both the Ukrainians and the rest of Europe. That is why I am very grateful to all the colleagues involved in our armed forces for their boundless commitment to accelerated military support for Ukraine. “
On August 31, 2025, the value of the realized Dutch military support was almost € 8.7 billion. That is as good as half more than early this year.
It concerns 3 types of support. Defense delivers for € 2.4 billion directly from its own stocks. This equipment is supplemented or replaced as soon as possible as soon as possible. The commercial purchases at the industry are € 6.1 billion. In addition, the Netherlands contributes € 179 million to NATO funds.
Collaboration with industry and Ukraine
According to the government, the support can only be sustained if the defense industry is scaled up. Companies cannot yet deliver fast enough. That is why the Netherlands works together with other EU countries and with the Ukrainian government and industry. There are plans for even more joint production of drones and other unmanned systems.
Training of Ukrainian soldiers
In addition to equipment, the Netherlands also provides training. Since 2022, this has been a contribution to Operation Interflex. This program in the United Kingdom is aimed at the fast and large -scale training and training of Ukrainian soldiers. This concerns military basic skills and leadership training. So far, around 60,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been trained through Operation Interflex. The Dutch contribution will be continued in 2026 with around 90 army soldiers per rotation.
Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers have also been trained in Germany, the Netherlands and Romania, with the support of Dutch soldiers. In Germany it includes a Leopard 1 TankCrew training and 1 Panzerhouwitser Artilleriegeschut OperatorTortraining. Furthermore, various units and departments of Defense are committed to providing lessons for Ukrainians in the Netherlands. These collaborations will also take place in 2026. In Romania, with a maximum of 20 soldiers, the Netherlands continues to contribute to preparing Ukrainian marine units for their duties.