Netherlands to contribute EUR 100M to military fund for Ukraine

The Netherlands plans to contribute EUR 100 million to the newly created International Fund for Ukraine (IFU) to finance the purchase of military equipment for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

This is said in a press release issued by the Ministry of Defence of the Netherlands, Ukrinform reports.

The ministry stressed that funds from the IFU, participants of which are also the United Kingdom, Denmark and Norway, are used to purchase materiel directly from manufacturers in order to ensure that it reaches Ukraine as quickly as possible. This approach allows optimal use of the available budget. It also identifies and exploits global procurement opportunities.

The first industry contracts are expected to be in place by the end of this year. The first deliveries are expected in the first half of next year.

It is noted that the fund enables participating countries to continue providing Ukraine with military support over the longer term. It offers participants an additional method of lending support without compromising their own readiness and deployability.

The establishment of the fund is currently in its final phase. The participants and Ukraine are currently drafting a framework agreement together. That document sets out who bears responsibility for what and how the fund operates.

Tenders can also be submitted by parties from countries that are not (yet) contributing to the fund. The government of the country where the manufacturer in question is located must vouch for the manufacturer's reliability. That same government is also responsible for the required export licenses.

As Ukrinform reported, the Netherlands also plans to send 50 to 100 military personnel as part of the EU mission to train the Ukrainian military.

Photo: defensie.nl

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