The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Netherlands of new and upgraded Patriot M903 launching stations, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced on 29 August 2024.
The proposed sale, which is estimated to be worth USD 224 million (EUR 202.5 million), has been passed to the US Congress for final approval.
The Netherlands has requested to buy two new-production Patriot M903 launching stations as well as equipment and services to upgrade existing M901 launching stations to the M903 configuration.
“The proposed sale will improve the Netherlands’ missile defense capability to meet current and future enemy threats,” the DSCA stated. “The Netherlands will use the enhanced capability to strengthen its homeland defense, deter regional threats, and provide direct support to coalition and security co-operation efforts.”
In the past the Royal Netherlands Army has operated around 18 Patriot launchers, but the Dutch government announced in January 2023 that it would supply two Patriot launchers to Ukraine and in May 2024 indicated it would work with other allies to deliver more Patriot systems to Ukraine.
The principal contractors for the latest Patriot FMS to the Netherlands are Lockheed-Martin Missiles and Fire Control, located in Grand Prairie, Texas, and RTX Corporation, located in Arlington, Virginia.
