Raytheon to Supply Netherlands With Fifth Patriot Air Defense Battery

The Dutch Ministry of Defense will purchase a fifth Patriot air defense system battery.

The Ministry announced the deal on its official website.

The contract with Raytheon was signed at the Ground Air Defense Command (DGLC) at Lieutenant General Best Barracks in Vredepeel.

According to the Ministry, the contract covers one battery, including three launchers, a radar, a command post, and support equipment. It also includes spare parts and a logistics package.

The Patriot system entered service with the Dutch armed forces in 1987 and has since been used for air and missile defense.

The Netherlands is currently upgrading its Patriot systems, which are expected to remain in service until at least 2040. The program includes upgrading 20 launchers to the PAC-3 standard.

A separate part of the program focuses on maintaining operational readiness, including updating technical systems and replenishing missile stocks.

In early 2024, the Netherlands joined a group of allies that placed an order through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) for up to 1,000 Patriot missiles to strengthen air defenses.

Read more: MIM-104 Patriot: The Path to Perfection

In August 2024, the US State Department approved a possible sale of M903 launchers to the Netherlands for the Patriot system.

In January 2025, the Netherlands ordered additional Patriot components to offset equipment transferred to Ukraine in 2024 as military aid.
The additional launchers allowed the country to maintain its missile capacity despite transferring some systems to Ukraine.

The Netherlands began transferring Patriot components on January 20, 2023, when it announced the delivery of two launchers and missiles to Ukraine, along with training for Ukrainian personnel. The effort was part of a joint initiative with the United States and Germany.

On October 13, 2023, then-Prime Minister Mark Rutte stated that the Netherlands would send additional Patriot missiles to Ukraine to bolster its defenses ahead of winter.

On May 28, 2024, the Defense Ministry said the Netherlands had proposed assembling a full Patriot battery with partner countries. The plan envisioned the Netherlands providing key components and other European states contributing additional parts.

The stated goal was to deliver at least one fully operational battery to Ukraine quickly. In the end, the Netherlands carried out the transfer largely on its own due to limited partner contributions.

In July 2024, Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans announced that the Netherlands would soon deliver three launchers and one radar to Ukraine and was in talks with partners to form a coalition to supply these systems.

In 2025, the Netherlands expanded this support, allocating €500 million under NATO’s new mechanism to procure US weapons for Ukraine, including Patriot components and missiles.