by Olivier Acuña Barba •Published: April 27, 2025•19:28•2 minutes read
USS Dewey is launching Tomahawk Cruise Missile Test launches in the Western Pacific | Photo: Pentagon Press
The US State Department has officially approved the sale of 175 Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMS) and other heavy weapons systems, worth $17.5 billion (approximately 19.2 billion euros) to the Netherlands.
The Defense Security and Cooperation Agency (DSCA), an agency within the US Department of Defense, has submitted to the US Congress the certifications necessary for the sale of military equipment aimed at strengthening the Royal Dutch Navy’s precision strike capabilities, the Pentagon added.
DSCA released officials statement On April 25th, “The Netherlands requested that the purchase of up to 163 Tomahawk Blocks v All Rounds (AURS); 12 Tomahawk Blocks IV AURS; 10 Tactical Tomahawk Weapon Control System (TTWCS). “This proposed sales support foreign policy goals and the US national security goals by improving the security of our NATO allies, the force of political stability and economic progress in Europe,” the agency said.
Ensuring regional military balance
The agency explained that the sale of military equipment and the support that comes with it would not change the basic military balance in the region. The pentagon ensured that it would not harm the US defense preparations.
However, he added that the use of long-range traditional surface-to-surface missiles with critical standoff ranges that could neutralize growing threats will enhance the Netherlands’ ability to meet current and future threats.
The sale continues with the EU 800B Defense Program
The purchase by the Netherlands comes shortly after the announcement of the European Union’s 80 billion euro plan to strengthen the region’s defenses.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said a massive “Rearm Europe” package will be placed on 27 EU leaders, referring to the growing political uncertainty that President Donald Trump perceives from Washington, where he questioned the EU-Ukraine alliance.
“We don’t need to explain the serious nature of the threat we are facing,” von der Reyen said.
“Therefore, if member states increase average GDP by 1.5%, this could create nearly 6500 billion euros of fiscal space over four years,” von derreyen said. The remaining 150 billion comes from loans and joint EU budgets.
