Netherlands to buy anti-torpedo weapon, tracked armor, new rifle

PARIS — The Netherlands plans to buy a torpedo-killing torpedo as early as 2029, replace the armed forces’ standard assault rifle starting this decade and equip its heavy infantry brigade with tracked armored general-purpose vehicles, as part of 17 equipment projects for the coming years.

Total spending on the planned projects will be at least €1.45 billion (US$1.65 billion), based on the lower end of the budget range for each project, according to a so-called “A letter” from the Dutch Ministry of Defense sent to parliament on Wednesday outlining equipment requirements.