The Dutch government has signed a framework contract with Rheinmetall to produce and deliver a wide selection of hand grenades for the Netherlands’ armed forces.
The deal covers an initial term of five years, with the possibility of a two-year extension, and includes the supply of around 15 grenade variants, although details of the specific models have not been released.
Rheinmetall has not disclosed the precise value of the contract but described it as being in the double-digit millions of euros.
Production will be distributed across Rheinmetall manufacturing sites in Trittau and Silberhütte in Germany, as well as Schwanenstadt in Austria.
The agreement expands on the Netherlands’ existing procurement relationship with Rheinmetall, which already includes contracts for 155mm artillery shells and 40mm ammunition.
It also highlights a growing trend among European NATO members — such as Germany and Estonia — to rely on long-term framework agreements with domestic and regional manufacturers to ensure reliable ammunition supplies.
In the wake of supply-chain strains revealed by the conflict in Ukraine, European armed forces have increasingly turned to flexible procurement mechanisms that enable rapid scaling of orders without reopening contract negotiations.
For the Dutch armed forces, the framework agreement secures a steady supply of infantry munitions vital for close-quarters fighting, urban combat, and training requirements, while strengthening Europe-based supply chains.
