The Netherlands will fund German defense giant Rheinmetall’s production of 20 Ermine tactical vehicles destined for Ukrainian forces. The deliveries are scheduled for 2026.
The contract, signed during the NATO summit in The Hague on 24 June, represents the first order for the tactical platform, making Ukraine the first country worldwide to receive the Ermine system.
Rheinmetall Defence Nederland developed the vehicles primarily for frontline evacuation missions, with the light tactical systems designed to provide rapid, maneuverable transport for wounded personnel in combat zones.
The manufacturer describes the Ermine as a “lightweight tactical system that combines the robustness of a diesel unit with many advantages of an electric drive.”
Key Ermine vehicle characteristics:
- Hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain with “Silent Move & Silent Watch” capabilities
- Four modular configurations: 4×4 quad, 4×4/6×6 buggy, or Unmanned Ground Vehicle
- Range up to 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) with one-tonne payload capacity
- electrical powertrain allows nearly silent operation: 50km (31 miles) quiet travel off-road, 100km (62 miles) on roads
- Built-in charging points for soldier equipment in the field
“The system offers its users significant tactical advantages in avoiding enemy reconnaissance,” according to Rheinmetall.
The vehicle supply forms part of a broader Dutch military aid package to Ukraine valued at approximately €175 million ($205 million). This package includes 100 drone-detection radars to help identify incoming drones and 20 medical evacuation vehicles. Of the €175 million, €80 million ($93 million) is allocated for drone support through an international drone coalition.