DPA, 29 december 2006
Dutch arms exports soared to $1.6 billion in 2005,
pushing the Netherlands into the top five military exporters for the
year, Volkskrant newspaper said Thursday.
Chile, which has taken surplus Dutch frigates and F-16 strike aircraft
over recent years, bought arms amounting to euro 296 million in 2005.
Egypt spent euro 40 million in 2005, the most recent year for which
figures were available, according to research conducted by Martin
Broek, an activist who has pressed the state for years to provide
details of arms trading activities.
Much of the trade was in high-value simulation systems and electronic
components for tanks, helicopters and aircraft produced elsewhere, and
much of it was conducted with other NATO members, according to Broek.
The main exporters included the defence ministry and companies such as
Stork Aerospace, Damen shipbuilders and Thales, the Dutch branch of
which makes naval defence systems.
Arms have also been shipped to Lebanon, Israel, Pakistan and Peru via
Dutch ports, he said.
Broek predicted arms exports of the Netherlands in 2006 would be even
higher, with big orders expected from Chile and Indonesia.