The Netherlands has initiated the transfer of significant military assets to Jordan. The convoy, consisting of 200 DAF YA-4442 military trucks in diverse configurations, 53 YPR-765 infantry fighting vehicles and spare parts, weighing in at a total of 2,667,500 kilograms, departed from the Eemshaven destined for Jordan aboard a Dutch vessel. These aging assets, formerly part of the Dutch Commando Landstrijdkrachten, underwent meticulous assessments at disposal sites in Vriezenveen near Almelo and Oudemolen near Assen. Lieutenant Colonel Harry Jansen, leading the Project Team for Ground-Based System Disposal, clarified that these sites serve as platforms for the sale of decommissioned defense assets. The intricate logistics behind transporting the 4-ton trucks and infantry fighting vehicles involved multiple phases and 75 tractor-trailer combinations, utilizing train transfers to reach the Eemshaven, recognized for its superior facilities compared to other ports.
The transportation process, handled by a vessel hired by Jordan through a civilian shipping company, absolves the Dutch Ministry of Defence of any involvement or responsibility in the subsequent offloading in Jordan. Highlighting the financial aspect, it’s specified that funds from Jordan will directly benefit the Ministry of Defence, a deviation from the previous practice of contributions to the national treasury. This strategic collaboration between the Netherlands’ Project Team for Ground-Based System Disposal and Jordan, facilitated by the Ministry of Finance’s Section Marketing & Sales, stems from negotiations initiated in 2018 and formalized in 2020. The significance of effective communication in ensuring the smooth execution of staggered deliveries scheduled between 2021 and 2025. This collaboration signifies a recurrent engagement with Jordan, positioning them as a consistent client for The Ministry of Defence’s decommissioned assets, underlining the strategic and diplomatic implications of this transfer.
The DAF YA-4442 is a medium-heavy military truck produced by the Dutch truck manufacturing company DAF (Doorne’s Aanhangwagen Fabriek) Trucks. The DAF YA-4442 stands as a medium-heavy military truck, presenting a robust loading platform and a commendable loading capacity of 4,000 kilos. This specialized vehicle, exclusively crafted for Dutch Armed Forces, boasts multiple variants, distinguished by their rear structure and accompanying equipment packages. The cabin is outfitted with a roof hatch, offering enhanced accessibility and flexibility in operations. One of its striking features includes a chassis designed explicitly for a medium-heavy MAG machine gun, affixed to the cabin roof, accentuating its adaptability in combat scenarios. The DAF YA-4442 incorporates power steering, a synchronized gearbox, and heating functionalities, significantly augmenting its operational prowess. Since its inception in 1989, DAF has proudly supplied 5,125 units to bolster the military’s fleet.
The YPR-765 is an infantry fighting vehicle. It is based on the AIFV design developed by the FMC Corporation. It replaced the AMX-VCI and YP-408 of the Royal Netherlands Army and entered service in 1977. The vehicles were built by the FMC together with several Dutch companies such as DAF and Philips. The division of labour was that FMC built the chassis of the vehicle, while DAF was responsible for the interior and constructed the 227 specially designed turrets that were equipped with a 25 mm Oerlikon KBA-B02 cannon. In addition, Philips designed the fire control system of the YPR-765. The final assembly and integrating all the different parts was also done by DAF. Around 1990 the Royal Netherlands Army had 2,140 YPR-765s in service. More than 100 YPR-765s of the Royal Netherlands Army were active in Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of the Dutch troops that participated in the Stabilisation Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Dutch YPR-765s have been extensively used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian War.
