The Netherlands Ministry of Defence (MoD) has engaged Rheinmetall Defence Nederland, a subsidiary based in Ede, to provide the Ukrainian military with 20 Ermine vehicles.
The order for crewed/uncrewed ground vehicles (UGV) was placed on behalf of the Ukraine Task Force. It was formalised on 24 June 2025, at the Nato Industry Summit held in The Hague.
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The vehicles are intended to enhance Ukraine’s frontline medical evacuation capabilities.
Delivery of the Ermine vehicles is scheduled for 2026.
The project involves collaboration with other Dutch firms such as DEMCON defense & security systems and Abiom Communication Systems (ACS).
Commenting on the national cooperation among industry and MoD, Rheinmetall said this contract “will further develop knowledge and capabilities for the Armed Forces of the Netherlands and Ukraine”.
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By GlobalDataRheinmetall’s Ermine (Hermelin) vehicle family is designed to be modular, currently comprising an UGV, a side-by-side buggy, and a quad.
Available in multiple configurations, including 4×4 and 6×6 variants, all models are built upon a uniform diesel-electric hybrid drivetrain and foundational platform.
This standardisation allows for significant modularity and manoeuvrability across the range, said the company.
Equipped with hybrid technology, these vehicles can carry payloads up to one tonne and achieve distances exceeding 1,000km, although the specific range may vary based on the vehicle’s configuration.
Additionally, cargo helicopters such as the CH-47 or CH-53 have the capacity to transport up to four Ermine vehicles simultaneously.
Rheinmetall Defence Nederland CEO Coen van Leeuwen said: “We are grateful for the trust in our capacities. Ermine is an innovative and capable solution for the modern battlefield.”
The Netherlands has unveiled a defence support package valued at around €175m ($205m), which encompasses various components including 100 radars specifically designed for drone detection.
Furthermore, the country is dedicating €80m towards drones as part of its commitment within an international drone coalition.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the Netherlands for their support, which totals €2.25bn for the current year.
