Simon Wouda, Head of the Task Force Ukraine at the Ministry of Defense of the Netherlands

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Colonel Simon Wouda has headed the Task Force Ukraine at the Dutch Ministry of Defense.

Over the past years, he has become one of the key figures in the Netherlands’ military support for Ukraine.

Many describe him as a true friend of Ukraine – a principled and consistent leader who prioritizes people and the realities of war over bureaucratic procedures.

Simon Wouda coordinates one of the most important areas of cooperation between the Netherlands and Ukraine: military assistance. His responsibilities include overseeing the delivery of weapons, military equipment, and unmanned systems, liaising with the defense industry, and coordinating support for Ukraine’s Defense Forces.

A significant share of Dutch initiatives aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities is implemented through Task Force Ukraine, particularly projects related to advanced military technologies and drone systems.

In an exclusive interview with Ukrinform’s correspondent in The Hague, Colonel Simon Wouda spoke about military assistance to Ukraine, joint drone projects, the challenges of wartime support, and prospects for further cooperation between the two countries.

PRINCIPLES OF MILITARY SUPPORT: SPEED, PROACTIVITY, AND CAPABILITY BUILDING

- Two weeks ago, the Netherlands delivered more than 60 pickup trucks and advanced unmanned systems to Ukraine. First of all, I would like to thank you once again for this support. Could you tell me who exactly in Ukraine received this assistance? Have you already received any feedback from Ukrainian service members? And whose initiative was this project?

- The entire batch of vehicles was delivered to the Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces Command. So far, we have not yet received any evaluation regarding their use, but that is perfectly normal, as only two weeks have passed since the delivery.

I believe the Ukrainian side is currently distributing these vehicles among different units. They are determining which vehicles will be assigned to strike-drone teams and which will go to units operating interceptor drones.

In addition, these pickup trucks still require some modifications. As you may recall, at the time of delivery, the vehicles were not yet equipped with drone-launching platforms in their cargo beds. I believe the vehicles are now being upgraded and fitted with the necessary structures for drone deployment.

Therefore, it is difficult for me to imagine that these vehicles are already being used in operational combat conditions. Most likely, they are still undergoing preparation and adaptation for specific operational tasks.

- Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, you have been leading the Task Force Ukraine at the Dutch Ministry of Defence. Could you tell us what your main mission was when the task force was first established, and what its key areas of work are today?

- It will be a long answer, so please bear with me.

I started on 1 July 2022, because by that time it had become clear that the war would last much longer and be far more extensive than we had initially expected. To be honest, we were positively surprised by the capabilities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. They were not only able to defend their country but also to push Russian forces back, particularly in northern Ukraine.

At first, we believed the war would last only a few months. As a result, only a handful of people within the Ministry of Defence were dealing with support for Ukraine alongside their regular duties. However, by April–May, it had become evident that this approach was insufficient. The war would continue for much longer and require significantly greater resources. Therefore, it was decided to establish a dedicated structure responsible for coordinating military assistance to Ukraine.

That was how Task Force Ukraine was created. I was asked to build and lead this team. We officially started our work on 1 July 2022. Our primary mission was the centralized coordination of all military support that the Netherlands provides to Ukraine. This work was organized around three main pillars.

The first pillar was the delivery of military equipment and supplies from our own stockpiles. We are still doing this today. For example, when the Netherlands modernizes its armed forces and transitions to newer systems, equipment that remains operational can be transferred to Ukraine. A clear example is the F-16 fighter jets, which became available after the Netherlands transitioned to the F-35.

The second pillar is the procurement of equipment directly from the defence industry.

The third pillar is the training of Ukrainian military personnel. This training is not focused solely on operating weapons systems, but also on keeping those systems operational and maintaining them effectively.

- You are often described as a true friend of Ukraine, a principled and fair person who always puts people’s needs above bureaucratic procedures. How difficult is it to overcome bureaucratic obstacles when providing assistance to a country at war? What were the main challenges you faced while organizing military support for Ukraine?

- Let me start by saying that another important part of our mission was to provide recommendations and advice to the Chief of Defence of the Netherlands, General Onno Eichelsheim, and to the Minister of Defense regarding the situation and which decisions should be taken – and which should not.

This gave me a fairly strong position because every morning I attended briefings with the military leadership. Each day I reported on the support being provided to Ukraine, what we were doing, and what progress had been made.

At the same time, this gave me a clear understanding of what the leadership wanted, what the priorities were, and where the limits lay. Within a few weeks, I had a solid grasp of their guidance. That gave me considerable freedom of action and allowed me to take calculated risks, knowing that my decisions were aligned with the overall direction.

Quite often, I would already have set a process in motion and then inform the leadership: “I’ve started implementing this. Are you okay with it?” I never received any negative feedback because everything was fully in line with the principles that had already been established.

There were three key principles that guided our work. The first was speed. Speed is essential.

During the first meeting between our Minister of Defence at the time, Kajsa Ollongren, and then U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, a very important point was made: every day on the battlefield is an eternity for a soldier.

Ukrainian troops on the front line are not thinking about what they might receive in two years. They are concerned with what they will receive today.

That is why speed became the top priority in everything we did. It was also the clear instruction I received from both the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence: whatever you do, speed comes first.

As a result, we did not wait for information about available stockpiles to reach us. We proactively opened warehouses and checked ourselves what could be transferred to Ukraine.

We applied the same approach to procurement. We did not spend months conducting market studies. If we knew that T-72 tanks could be purchased quickly in the Czech Republic, we simply bought them. These were direct procurements without lengthy tender procedures. This approach saved a tremendous amount of time.

So, speed was the first principle.

The second principle was being proactive.

In the beginning, we were very reactive. We tried to gather everything that was needed and send it to Ukraine immediately.

Later, however, we were tasked with planning support at least six months ahead. We therefore began assessing Ukraine’s long-term requirements, analysing lessons learned from previous months, and developing what we called a rolling plan, which was updated every six months based on Ukraine’s evolving needs.

The third principle was less obvious, but equally important.

We came to understand that it was not enough simply to deliver weapons systems to Ukraine. We had to deliver capability.

When we provide an artillery system or an armoured vehicle, it is not just about the equipment itself. It must come with spare parts, documentation translated into Ukrainian, ammunition, training programmes, and personnel instruction.

Ukrainian service members need not only to know how to operate the equipment, but also how to maintain it and keep it operational for as long as possible.

Of course, at the beginning we had to overcome considerable internal resistance. Our system was accustomed to moving slowly—conducting studies, taking time, and selecting the best possible option.

But in wartime, the best option is not always the fastest one.

Sometimes it is better to receive a system that scores seven out of ten today than to wait three years for one that scores a perfect ten.

That is precisely why, at the end of 2022, we purchased T-72 tanks for Ukraine from the Czech Republic. They were immediately available. Ukrainian troops were already familiar with the platform and required no additional training.

Perhaps the T-72 is not as capable as the Leopard 2, but it was available right away. That is why we made that choice. Later, we moved on to providing Leopard 2 tanks as well.

So, in short, that was our approach and the philosophy behind our support for Ukraine.

€3 BILLION PER YEAR ALLOCATED IN THE DUTCH BUDGET FOR SUPPORT TO UKRAINE FROM 2027 TO 2029

-  Behind every military aid package lies a complex logistical operation. What are the biggest challenges involved in delivering military equipment to Ukraine, particularly given the security risks and wartime restrictions? I understand that you cannot disclose all the details, but could you explain some of the key difficulties and challenges you have to deal with?

- The logistics planning of transportation itself is not particularly difficult. However, we naturally try to keep the details of these operations as confidential as possible. We are not naïve enough to believe that the Russians cannot observe and monitor what is happening. Therefore, we do not openly disclose exactly what we are doing and when.

For example, when you visited the Dutch logistics base and saw the preparations for the shipment of Toyota Hilux pickup trucks, we asked that the information not be published for a few days in order to conceal certain details of the operation.

The most challenging element in the transportation and logistics of support to Ukraine is the logistics hub in Poland, through which virtually all assistance passes. It is truly a bottleneck, as supplies from not only the Netherlands but also many other countries converge there. Everything must therefore be planned with great precision.

This is where the greatest challenges arise, because all deliveries arrive at a single location, yet it is impossible for all shipments to come in simultaneously without careful coordination. As a result, transportation planning has always been highly structured and closely coordinated with other countries. This is the most complex aspect of the process, since assistance arrives not only by road, but also by rail and air. Everything comes together in one place, requiring extremely precise coordination.

What has always surprised me in a very positive way and with great admiration is how quickly the Ukrainian Armed Forces collect this assistance, transport it into Ukraine, and distribute it further in such a way that it quite literally disappears from sight. I find that truly impressive. From a logistics perspective, it is a real nightmare, yet Ukrainians manage it remarkably well.

When traveling toward the border, you do not see large convoys or significant military transport movements. It almost seems as if everything simply vanishes into thin air. I believe Ukrainians have become true experts in this field.

-  How has the speed of weapons deliveries changed compared to 2022?

- At the beginning of the full-scale war, almost all assistance came directly from existing military stockpiles. Over time, commercial procurement began to play an increasingly important role, and that naturally requires more time.

Under normal circumstances, procurement through standard contracting procedures can take more than a year. However, we managed to reduce this process to roughly three to four months for contract signing. That does not mean, however, that the equipment is delivered immediately after the contract is signed. In most cases, the manufacturer only starts production after the agreement is concluded, which can take another three to four months.

Therefore, if we are able to deliver the required equipment within six to nine months, that is considered very fast. Of course, it is not as quick as transferring equipment from existing stockpiles, but for newly produced systems, it is a remarkably rapid timeline.

Overall, it is fair to say that deliveries have gradually begun to take more time, simply because a growing share of the equipment is being procured directly from manufacturers. At the same time, the quality of what we are providing to Ukraine has increased significantly compared to the beginning of the full-scale war.

The process moves particularly quickly when we can use existing production lines that are already operational.

A good example is the Drone Line initiative.

The Netherlands is a key partner in this initiative, which aims to integrate and scale up unmanned systems for Ukraine’s Defense Forces.

At the beginning of 2025, then Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov approached us with a request to finance part of the program. We responded very quickly and said that we did not want to finance only a portion of it. We wanted to fund the entire Drone Line initiative. That way, one country would have full control over the process, and we would not need to coordinate decisions with multiple partners. We decided to take full responsibility for the program.

As a result, we were able to procure drones from the four companies involved in the initiative using their existing production capacities. In the end, we managed to deliver a support package worth more than €500 million in less than six months. We started working on it around March–April, and by the end of the year everything had been delivered.

The Netherlands also possesses significant scientific and engineering expertise, as well as research institutions that are already cooperating with Ukraine, including through the Brave1 innovation platform.

- Is a new aid package currently being prepared?

- Yes, we are currently working on plans for the use of the structural budget that the Dutch government has allocated for 2027, 2028, and 2029. The Netherlands has earmarked €3 billion per year for support to Ukraine.

We are trying to develop a plan that will ensure sustainable and continuous support for the Ukrainian Armed Forces over the next three years.

In my view, the most important thing is not simply to deliver as much assistance as possible at once, but rather to create a steady flow of support. This makes it much easier for the Ukrainian military to receive equipment, adapt it to their needs, distribute it among units, and use it effectively. It is far more practical than receiving an entire package of assistance all at once.

That is why we are aiming to organize a continuous supply of unmanned systems, ongoing support for the F-16 program, and other key areas that are currently among our top priorities over the next three years.

DRONES WILL BECOME AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE ARMIES OF THE FUTURE

- In your opinion, what role do drones and robotic systems play on today’s battlefield?

- I believe we are still only at the beginning of understanding how to integrate all these unmanned systems into our traditional military concepts and tactical approaches to warfare.

Ukraine is far ahead of others in this regard because it has real battlefield experience. At the same time, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are learning every day. Even for them, this is only the beginning of developing a new concept of warfare in which manned and unmanned systems must be effectively combined and their interaction properly coordinated.

I am convinced that drones will become an integral part of the armies of the future. There is no doubt about that anymore. They will play an extremely important role. At the same time, unmanned systems will not replace main battle tanks or other traditional weapon systems. Rather, they will become an additional element of military capability.

There is still much to learn. We are only beginning to understand the full range of possibilities that unmanned technologies offer. The sector is evolving at an extraordinary pace. Industry is constantly improving drone systems, updating software and hardware, and adapting them to new challenges.

We are trying to follow Ukraine’s experience as closely as possible and learn from it. At the same time, the Ukrainian side also approaches us to work together on improving tactical concepts.

That is one of the reasons why the Ukrainian Unmanned Systems Forces Command is interested in cooperation and partnership with the Dutch Army’s drone development task force. This is not only about technology; it is also about jointly rethinking how all types of unmanned systems—air, ground, and maritime—can be used conceptually and integrated into modern military operations.

What Ukrainians are doing with unmanned technologies today is truly impressive. It is a powerful example for all allies. At the same time, Ukraine continues to learn and refine its approaches every single day. That is why this process of development is ongoing and continuous.

One of the greatest strengths of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and defense industry is their ability to respond very quickly to changes on the battlefield. Ukraine constantly adapts to new challenges and is often one or two steps ahead of Russia.

Despite having fewer resources and a smaller manpower base, Ukraine is able to change the rules of the game precisely because of its speed of adaptation. And the knowledge, research institutions, universities, and technology companies of the Netherlands can help make this process even more effective and further strengthen Ukraine’s innovative capabilities.

- How is Ukraine’s experience in the war against Russia already influencing military training in the Netherlands and within NATO? Before 2022, very few people were prepared for a war of this scale involving the massive use of drones.

- Exactly. We are following developments in Ukraine very closely. And we sincerely hope that, if we are ever called upon to defend our own country, we will be as well prepared and as professional as the Ukrainian Armed Forces are today.

- Are there joint training activities in the Netherlands where Dutch and Ukrainian servicemen can directly learn from one another?

- There are currently no large-scale joint exercises in the Netherlands. However, at the tactical level, certain activities and exchanges of experience do take place.

What is especially valuable for us is that Ukrainian experts regularly come to the Netherlands to give presentations and briefings to our military personnel. They explain the situation on the battlefield, discuss new approaches to warfare, and share the lessons that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are learning every day in the reality of war.

We learn a great deal from this experience. The information helps us not only improve the training of our own armed forces but also better understand exactly what kind of support Ukraine needs. In addition, the knowledge gained influences decisions regarding the development and adaptation of production lines within our defense industry.

Everything we learn from Ukrainian experts during these exchanges is extremely valuable for the Netherlands and for our armed forces. Today, Ukraine’s battlefield experience has become one of the most important sources of knowledge for Western militaries.

VICTORY IS DETERMINED NOT ONLY BY LOSSES, BUT ALSO BY THE WILL TO FIGHT

- What do you think about Ukraine’s military operations in Crimea, as well as strikes against military targets inside Russia, including in the area around St. Petersburg?

- To be honest, it is impressive. It is remarkable how capable the Ukrainian forces are of planning and carrying out such operations.

At the same time, it is important to note that whenever the Netherlands provides Ukraine with weapons or other military equipment, Ukraine signs an end-user certificate. In this document, Ukraine confirms that the equipment will be used exclusively against military targets, will not be transferred to third countries without the approval of the Dutch authorities, and will be used in accordance with the agreed conditions.

The Netherlands has never imposed geographical restrictions on Ukraine. We have never said that the weapons we provide may only be used on Ukrainian territory. Our only condition has always been that they be used against military targets. And military targets can also be located deep behind enemy lines.

That is why we have supported the development of Ukraine’s long-range strike capabilities from the very beginning.

So we are following developments in Crimea and on Russian territory with great interest.

- In your opinion, what does Ukraine need in order to ultimately win this war and live in peace?

-  I believe that Ukraine is currently inflicting significant damage on Russia and creating serious challenges for it. However, in any war, the decisive factor is not only how much equipment has been destroyed or how many losses the enemy has suffered. The most important factor is the will to fight.

A war ends when one of the sides no longer has the desire or the ability to continue fighting. Therefore, in my view, Ukraine needs to keep up the pressure until Moscow loses the will to wage this war. That is when it will come to an end.

The key question is when the Russian leadership will reach that point and realize that continuing the war no longer makes sense. But in my opinion, Ukraine is currently inflicting very painful blows on Russia.

- During our previous conversation, you mentioned that you had visited Ukraine around 15 times. What impressed you the most during those trips?

- Every visit to Ukraine has been deeply impressive. I have been to Kharkiv, Dnipro, Odesa, and several other cities.

What impresses me most is that this struggle is not being fought solely by the Ukrainian Armed Forces it is being carried by the entire society. You can see it in factories, production facilities, and companies. People of all ages work there men and women, young and old alike. Everyone is contributing to the common effort.

I remember my very first morning in Ukraine. I woke up on a train traveling from Kyiv to Kharkiv. Outside the window stretched endless yellow fields beneath a bright blue sky. At that moment, I thought to myself that I finally truly understood the colors of the Ukrainian flag blue and yellow.

But just a few minutes later, we passed the first village, and I saw a cemetery on its outskirts. That was the moment when I first felt, very profoundly, the price this war has imposed on the Ukrainian people.

Another powerful memory for me was experiencing my first missile strike in Dnipro. I was in the city that day and heard the sound. It was an incredibly powerful experience.

I am also constantly impressed by the cooperation between the Ukrainian military and the defense industry. When you visit command posts, you see representatives of defense companies working side by side with military personnel, analyzing developments on the battlefield, studying new challenges, and immediately thinking about how to improve equipment and make it more effective.

That is where you can see what is often called the “rapid innovation loop” in action when battlefield experience is transformed almost instantly into new technological solutions. It is truly remarkable.

I wish the Ukrainian people peace and prosperity. And I often tell Ukrainian soldiers when I meet them during training activities or other events: “I sincerely hope that one day we will be able to share a beer together on the coast of Odesa or in Crimea in a peaceful Ukraine, where Crimea is once again part of your country and the entire territory of Ukraine remains free and Ukrainian.”

That is what I genuinely wish for your people.

In my view, Ukrainians have everything they need to live in a peaceful and prosperous country. The way your society responds to challenges, adapts to extraordinarily difficult circumstances, and continues to move forward is truly inspiring.

I have immense respect for the Ukrainian people. Every meeting with them motivates me to work even harder and to do everything possible to accelerate support for Ukraine. When I see how people, despite everything, remain strong, stay optimistic, and are determined to survive, fight, and defend their freedom, it leaves a profound impression on me.

Iryna Drabok, The Hague

Photos provided by Iryna Drabok and the Netherlands Ministry of Defense