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Netherlands Developing Satellite Launch Plan to Strengthen Ukraine's Defense Capabilities

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Dariia Mykhailenko
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Netherlands Developing Satellite Launch Plan to Strengthen Ukraine's Defense Capabilities
Satellite In Space Station Orbiting Earth. Illustrative photo. (Source: Getty Images)

The Dutch defense industry is advancing plans to launch satellite systems aimed at supporting Ukraine’s defense capabilities, as confirmed by the Dutch Ministry of Defense on May 8.

The initiative, formally titled "Using Space for Military Purposes," was submitted to State Secretary of Defense Gijs Tuinman in The Hague. This strategic proposal seeks to deploy high-performance satellite systems to enhance intelligence collection and threat detection.

The proposed satellite systems are intended to be developed and deployed at the earliest opportunity. These systems will be capable of detecting radar and communication networks from space, providing real-time intelligence to authorized military entities.

According to the Ministry, this initiative is expected to enhance Ukraine’s ability to detect and respond to potential threats, while also bolstering the Dutch Armed Forces’ intelligence capabilities, ensuring the Netherlands can independently obtain defense-related data.

State Secretary Gijs Tuinman has asked representatives of the country’s defense industry to develop an accelerated action plan in this direction: 

“This will not only help Ukraine but also provide the Dutch Armed Forces with more and better-quality intelligence data. The Dutch Space Security and Defense Center is interested in additional satellite capabilities for defense needs, allowing our country to independently collect intelligence data.”

Earlier, the Dutch government had allocated an additional €3.5 million to support Ukraine’s capacity to investigate and prosecute war crimes committed during Russia’s full-scale invasion. Dutch Minister of Justice and Security David van Weel emphasized that enhancing Ukraine’s legal framework for addressing international crimes is a strategic priority for the Netherlands.

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