The Netherlands plans to send T-72B main battle tanks to Ukraine as part of a trilateral agreement with the US and the Czech Republic, Dutch Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren announced.
The delivery is part of a 120-million-euro ($119.9 million) military aid package from the Netherlands for Ukraine. Around $45 million of this fund will be utilized to procure 90 refurbished T-72Bs.
According to the US Department of Defense, the tanks will come from the Czech Ministry of Defence in partnership with Czech industry. The total value of the modernization will be $90 million.
Once shipped, the T-72Bs will be deployed by the Ukrainian armed forces with T-72s donated by other allies.
Some of the tanks will be delivered before the end of 2022, with a completion date scheduled for 2023.
Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative
The US will fund half of the T-72 donation as part of a $400 million Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), the Pentagon announced on November 4.
The USAI procures capabilities from industry paired with the Presidential Drawdown Authority, which obtains packages from the US Department of Defense’s military stocks.
The Pentagon’s latest package includes 1,100 Phoenix Ghost tactical drones, 40 armored Riverine boats, communications and surveillance systems, as well as related training, maintenance, and sustainment services.
The US will donate other refurbished military capabilities, such as HAWK air defense missiles and 250 M1117 armored vehicles.
Tanks for Ukraine
Earlier this year, the Czech Republic announced it would obtain 15 Leopard 2 A4 tanks from Germany. The agreement aims to replenish Czech military stocks following multiple donations to Ukraine.
The Republic of North Macedonia also supplied the Ukrainian armed forces with T-72As last August.
