The Dutch government has signed a framework agreement with Rheinmetall for the production and delivery of a broad range of hand grenades for the Netherlands’ armed forces.
The contract runs for an initial five-year period, with an option for a two-year extension, and covers the supply of approximately 15 grenade variants, though specific models have not been publicly identified.
Rheinmetall has not revealed the exact contract value, but described it as being in the double-digit millions of euros.
Manufacturing will be spread across Rheinmetall facilities in Trittau and Silberhütte in Germany, as well as Schwanenstadt in Austria.
The agreement builds on the Netherlands’ existing procurement relationship with Rheinmetall, which already includes contracts for 155mm artillery ammunition and 40mm rounds.
It also reflects a broader trend among European NATO members — including Germany and Estonia — toward long-term framework contracts with domestic and regional manufacturers to secure dependable ammunition supplies.
Following the supply-chain pressures exposed by the war in Ukraine, European militaries have increasingly adopted flexible procurement models that allow rapid scaling of orders without renegotiating contracts.
For the Dutch armed forces, the framework deal ensures a stable supply of infantry munitions essential for close combat, urban operations, and training, while reinforcing Europe-based defence supply chains.
