4.6.2025
Ministers of Defence of the Czech Republic and the Netherlands discussed Ukraine and spending, defence associations signed Cooperation Memorandum
Support of Ukraine and main topics of the Nato Summit in The Hague were among the points discussed by the Czech Minister of Defence and her Dutch counterpart Minister Ruben Brekelmans, who visited the Czech Republic as a member of the official delegation of His Majety King Willem-Alexander. Their meeting was followed by the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Czech Defence and Security Industry Association and the Netherlands Industries for Defence and Security.
The long-awaited two-day NATO Summit will take place in The Hague at the end of June and will focus on the increasing of defence expenses, further support to Ukraine and the strengthening of NATO deterrence stance towards Russia.
The expected outcomes of the Summit include the adoption of a new Defence Investment Pledge, and the discussion will also focus on the strengthening of capabilities of the Alliance, especially through new capability targets.
“As Europeans, we need to assume more responsibility and contribute our fair share. The Czech Republic is ready to do so,” said Jana Černochová to her counterpart, underlining that the Allies should use the Summit in The Hague to show unity and resolve.
Parallel to the Czech Republic, the Netherlands also fulfilled the commitment to reach 2% GDP for defence expenditures. “Both countries agree on current key topics, such as the support of Ukraine and the need to increase defence spending. In this regard, I underlined that the Czech Government approved the increase of defence spending to 3% GDP by 2030, which is also necessary to achieve our new capability targets. We do not underestimate our own defence nor that of the entire European continent,” said Minister Černochová.
Small countries – large assistance to Ukraine
The Dutch Ministry of Defence comprises 43 thousand military professionals, 8 thousand reservists and 25 thousand civilian employees. By 2030, they have the ambition to reach a total of 100 thousand personnel – of whom there are to be 56 thousand military professionals and 20 thousand reservists.
Czech cooperation with the Netherlands has a long tradition. Service members of both armed forces operate together for example in the Multinational Battlegroup in Lithuania since 2017. Common exercises take place on a regular basis.
Both armed forces also use similar equipment: the Royal Netherlands Air Force lean on the F-35 aircraft and are in the process of procurement of the C-390 Embraer aircraft. The Land Forces operate CV90 armoured combat vehicles and are renewing their tank units using the Leopard 2A8 platform.
The cooperation of both countries is all the more visible, when it comes to the support of Ukraine, concerning which the countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2024. “The Netherlands is one of Czech Republic’s key partners in the support of Ukraine, both in the matters of financing and in the support of Czech initiatives,” said Minister Černochová and thanked Minister Brekelmans for “outstanding cooperation in the matter of deliveries of military materiel.” Since the beginning of this year, the Netherlands contributed EUR 271 million to the ammunition initiative.
The King of the Netherlands and the Czech President were presented the specific ways in which both countries helped Ukraine at the exhibition of selected military equipment and materiel provided by them for the defence of Ukraine at the Kbely Air Base.
The close relationship of both countries is also reflected in the defence industrial cooperation, where there is significant potential in defence industry cooperation, as mentioned by the Czech Minister. King Willem-Alexander brought to the Czech Republic a numerous business delegation. According to Minister Jana Černochová, the signing of the Memorandum on Cooperation between the DSIA and the NIDV is a promise of further deepening of cooperation.
- For more pictures see this page.