MoD to Procure Trucks from the Netherlands

The Ministry of Defence entered into a contract today with the Netherlands for the purchase of trucks, trailers, field kitchens and medical supplies, which are to be used to supply the war-time operative structure of the Estonian Defence Forces.

In total, the Estonian Defence Forces will acquire more than 200 different trucks and trailers under the procurement. The equipment acquired has had limited use, has small mileage and is in mint condition. The procurement is a part of a co-operation programme, which has lasted for the past four years and has provided the Estonian Defence Forces with approximately 500 trucks, trailers and other supplies. Approximately 1,000 different vehicles have been acquired within a similar programme with Germany.

According to the Minister of Defence, Mr. Jaak Aaviksoo, the procurement contracts, which have been concluded with the Netherlands and Germany, represent a good example of practical defence co-operation between states. “The acquisition of second-hand equipment has saved Estonian taxpayers more than a billion Estonian kroons,” said Mr. Aaviksoo.

The DAF-trucks, tow trucks and fuel trucks, bought under the contract concluded today, will be mostly used to supply the rear support units, as a part of the war-time operative structures of the Defence Forces. The acquired trailers are fitted with cranes, which means that no outside help is required to load them.

The field kitchens, bought from the Netherlands, will replace the out-dated field kitchens that were received as a present from Sweden years ago.

Medical supplies include numerous auxiliary equipment for the sterilisation of tools, laboratory devices, surgical tools, and the furnishing of surgical theatres and will be used to supplement the mobilisation supplies of the Defence Forces.

The equipment of the Dutch Armed Forces was sold to the Estonian Ministry of Defence by the Ministry of Finance of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, represented by the Defence Material Organisation of the Netherlands. As provided by the contract, the exact price of the procurement is not subject to disclosure.