Netherlands orders Excalibur Ib
Raytheon is to supply the Excalibur Ib precision-guided projectile to the Netherlands Ministry of Defence as part of a previously agreed foreign military sale, the company announced on 9 September.
With this order, the Netherlands has become the second European customer for the Excalibur 1b, following Sweden.
The Netherlands armed forces will use the GPS-guided artillery rounds to arm its PzH 2000 howitzers, for which the US Army has already determined compatibility. Raytheon expects to begin deliveries late 2015.
Mark Hokeness, Excalibur programme director, Raytheon, said: ‘When fired from the Dutch PzH 2000 artillery system, Excalibur can fly up to 50km, score a direct hit and deliver lethal effects in all types of weather and battlefield conditions.
‘The Netherlands joins a growing list of nations acquiring this highly sophisticated artillery munition, which uses GPS guidance to provide accurate, first-round effects capability at extended ranges.’
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
British Army's open plan draws diverse offerings for Land Rover replacement
The UK Ministry of Defence has avoided being prescriptive in its search to replace the British Army’s Land Rover, meaning vehicle types being offered range from Land Rover Defender Wolf II and Humvee to the hybrid series Fering Pioneer. What does this mean for the procurement process?
-
DVD 2026: British Army’s Ajax back in the hands of users as part of a gradual return
The introduction of Ajax vehicles into British Army service was stopped after operator health issues were reported during an exercise, but manufacturer General Dynamics Land Systems UK believes work over the past 10 months has dealt with the problems.
-
Polaris expands Arctic mobility offering as US military orders grow
The Military 850 Voyageur 155 Crossover has secured orders from the US Army, Air Force and Marine Corps, addressing demand for agile Arctic mobility with passenger, cargo and towing capacity.
-
More bidders move onto starting grid for British Army Land Rover replacement programme
The Light Mobility Vehicle segment of the UK’s Land Mobility Programme for the British Army may actually be about to make progress, or at least likely bidders seem to think so. Shephard spoke with several contenders who revealed their views on how the army should replace the ageing fleet.