The Netherlands picked Israeli firm Rafael Advanced Defense Systems to supply an upgrade for the country’s more than 200 medium-range anti-tank missile launchers that will boost combat range, for an investment of as much as €250 million ($277 million).

The deal would be for “off-the-shelf” equipment, with Rafael delivering the first launchers in 2026 and final handover expected in the first half of 2028. The investment is in the range of €50 million to €250 million, the ministry said.

    • ms.lane@lemmy.world
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      3 months ago

      Not really, there is a big difference between tying your own hands behind your back in a defense situation so as to satisfy the peanut gallery vs. Supplying weapons being used in an active war.

      Netherlands isn’t supplying Israel weapons (their courts banned it entirely) and they’ve found that Rafael’s systems are the best choice, anything less is putting their own citizens at risk for optics. Militaries don’t run on those kinds of optics nor should they.

      • NoForwardslashS@sopuli.xyz
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        3 months ago

        Oh well that’s ok then, as long as they are only funnelling money to the aggressor in an active war.

          • NoForwardslashS@sopuli.xyz
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            3 months ago

            Well in that case I can see it is simply a scheme to support Ukraine by proxy through Israel and everyone should approve

            • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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              3 months ago

              If Europe is not armed to take on Russia, they could win in Ukraine and move on to other countries next. That was definitely Putin’s original plan. He was ready to move in on Moldova.

            • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
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              3 months ago

              You seem to forget that lengthy period when congress held up sending American weapons to Ukraine.

              • Turbonics@lemmy.sdf.orgOP
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                3 months ago

                The same period weapons to Israel were held up but still arrived in Israel.

                Germany is always willing to sell weapons to Ukraine. Giving them away is a bigger ask.

                There is much irony in Ukraine’s support of Israel.

      • acargitz@lemmy.ca
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        3 months ago

        Oppose war crimes, ethnic cleansing and potentially genocide = “satisfy the peanut gallery” and “optics”.

        There’s something wrong with your moral compass, buddy.