Commander of the armed forces: role of the Netherlands in war Ukraine ‘not yet finished’
The Netherlands, together with Germany, have already supplied eighteen armored howitzers. These are currently being used, the general hears, although he “can’t say much about them.” These deliveries will not be the end, Eichelsheim says. “Ukraine has heavy weapons in the battle, so we have to deliver. They need to get ‘ity’ with the Russian Federation,” the general said.
The Netherlands is not currently going to supply heavier artillery than armored howitzers. “Heavier than that is not available at the moment,” Eichelsheim said. But we can’t increase the numbers very well.
The Netherlands can deliver more, but that has consequences for our own armed forces. You should always keep sufficient resources in the Netherlands, he believes: “You have to protect yourself. There are threats around Europe.”
China
Eichelsheim is also particularly concerned about China, for example if the conflict with Taiwan leads to a confrontation. Yet we can also learn from China: in the country it works together with companies. “They actually ensure that the knowledge and skills that these companies acquire are channeled into Defense. They take Defense to a higher level,” he says.
He thinks companies can contribute a lot. Defense is currently struggling with a staff shortage and this can be supplemented with reservations who have other jobs. “That means with us they understand leadership and learning that they can use in that, but I can understand them.” Companies can also help in the field of technology.