SOURCE: AFI
In a pointed diplomatic exchange, India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has called on his Dutch counterpart, Ruben Brekelmans, to cease supplying weapons and military technology to Pakistan, a nation India accuses of sponsoring terrorism. The request, made during a high-level meeting in New Delhi on March 18, 2025, underscores India’s growing concerns over the Netherlands’ role as a significant arms supplier to Pakistan, particularly in the naval domain.
The Netherlands, a key member of the European Union, ranks among Pakistan’s top three weapons suppliers globally, trailing only China and Turkey. Over the years, Dutch defense exports to Pakistan have included advanced naval platforms such as minehunters and offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), bolstering the Pakistan Navy’s capabilities. These transactions, facilitated by Dutch shipbuilder Damen and involving former Royal Netherlands Navy assets, have drawn sharp scrutiny from India, which views Pakistan’s military buildup as a direct threat to regional stability.
The Netherlands, a key member of the European Union, ranks among Pakistan’s top three weapons suppliers globally, trailing only China and Turkey. Over the years, Dutch defense exports to Pakistan have included advanced naval platforms such as minehunters and offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), bolstering the Pakistan Navy’s capabilities. These transactions, facilitated by Dutch shipbuilder Damen and involving former Royal Netherlands Navy assets, have drawn sharp scrutiny from India, which views Pakistan’s military buildup as a direct threat to regional stability.
The Netherlands has been a steady supplier of naval hardware to Pakistan, with notable deals enhancing Islamabad’s maritime strength. Among the key transfers are two Tripartite-class minehunters—originally operated by the Royal Netherlands Navy—which were sold to Pakistan in a second-hand capacity. These vessels, designed for mine countermeasures, reflect a collaborative naval relationship between the two nations. Additionally, Damen Shipyards, a prominent Dutch firm, has constructed advanced OPVs for Pakistan, including the 1,900-tonne PNS Yamama, commissioned in December 2024 at Constanta Port, Romania. This vessel, part of a batch of multi-role OPVs, highlights the technological sophistication of Dutch contributions to Pakistan’s naval fleet.
Beyond second-hand transfers, the Netherlands has supported Pakistan through new-build projects, with Damen’s shipbuilding expertise playing a pivotal role. These platforms enhance Pakistan’s ability to patrol its maritime borders and project power in the Arabian Sea—a region of strategic importance where India maintains significant naval interests.
The Netherlands’ defense relationship with Pakistan dates back years, rooted in naval cooperation. The Tripartite-class minehunters, developed jointly by the Netherlands, Belgium, and France, were transferred to Pakistan after their decommissioning from Dutch service. Meanwhile, Damen Shipyards has emerged as a key player, delivering OPVs that enhance Pakistan’s maritime surveillance and combat capabilities. The PNS Yamama, for instance, is equipped with modern systems that improve the Pakistan Navy’s operational reach—an asset India views with wariness given tensions in the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean Region.
This naval collaboration has placed the Netherlands in a delicate position. While it maintains cordial ties with India, its exports to Pakistan have drawn New Delhi’s ire, particularly as India ramps up its own naval modernization to counter regional threats from Pakistan and China.
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