Netherlands to Provide 22 Boats to Ukraine, Including 3 CB90 Fast Assault Craft

The Netherlands will provide Ukraine with high-speed inflatable and armored boats in patrol and combat versions.

The Dutch Defense Ministry announced this.

The country also allocates €250 million for the Czech initiative to order a large number of artillery shells for Ukraine as soon as possible.

The Dutch Defense Ministry detailed that Ukraine will receive fourteen rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs), five militarized river patrol boats, and three CB90 combat boats.

On February 20, Militarnyi reported that Ukraine would receive CB90 combat boats as part of military aid from Sweden, but boats’ quantity was not disclosed.

The Prime Minister of the Netherlands also announced the transfer of four radar systems and at least nine howitzers. As previously reported, Ukraine and the Netherlands signed a ten-year security agreement.

The document was signed as part of the G7 joint declaration of support for Ukraine adopted at the NATO summit in Vilnius.

The agreement confirms the decision of the Netherlands to continue cooperation to further provide and expand assistance to Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression for as long as necessary.

In particular, the agreement stipulates that the Netherlands will provide €2 billion as part of military aid in 2024 and continue defense support over the next 10 years.

Priority is given to air defense, artillery, armored vehicles, support for maritime and long-range capabilities, and in particular, the Air Force.

Combat Boat 90

The Combat Boat 90 (CB90) is a military high-speed armoured landing craft developed by the Swedish company Dockstavarvet, which is part of Saab.

This boat is designed to rapidly deliver assault groups, conduct strike operations, coast guard, patrol, and support special operations.

It can also be used for exploration, water area mining, surveillance, and intelligence gathering. Location radar is installed for the latter on board.

The boat is capable of carrying up to 21 soldiers in full combat equipment or cargo up to 4.5 tons. The landing party is located in the central part of the boat under the wheelhouse, and during the landing, it is rushed through the bow ramp. Due to a small draft, the boat can reach an unprepared shore.

The CB90 is armed with three turrets placed behind the wheelhouse and one on each side. The turrets can be equipped with a Browning M2HB 12.7mm machine gun or a 40mm automatic grenade launcher.

In addition, for strike or sabotage missions, the boat can be armed with RBS 17 SSM (Hellfire) light anti-ship missiles. It is also capable of carrying four naval mines weighing 2.8 tons, or six depth charges.

The combat boat is equipped with two 600 kW diesel engines and two pump- jets that allow it to perform sharp maneuvers and reach speeds of up to 45 km in shallow coastal waters.