Dutch Army completes first live-fire exercise of new PULS rocket launcher for precision strike missions.

On July 8 and 9, 2025, the Royal Netherlands Army conducted a two-day validation firing of the PULS (Precise and Universal Launch System) rocket artillery system at Breezanddijk on the Afsluitdijk. A total of sixteen rockets were launched during this test to verify whether the system operates as intended and complies with safety requirements. All projectiles impacted within the margins of the designated target area, and the validation firings also confirmed the continued certification of the operators using the system. These firings represent an official verification step following the initial delivery of four PULS units in February 2024 and mark a key milestone in the reintroduction of rocket artillery into Dutch land forces after a 19-year absence.
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The recent acquisition of long-range artillery systems, such as the PULS, addresses previous shortcomings in the Dutch Army's ability to strike targets deep in enemy territory. (Picture source: Dutch MoD)

The Netherlands signed a $305 million contract with Elbit Systems on May 18, 2023, for the delivery of twenty PULS launchers over a five-year period. This contract is part of a broader €515.3 million program for the acquisition of long-range precision fire systems, including launcher platforms, fire control systems, Scania Gryphus armored trucks, initial ammunition packages for operational use and training, command-and-control and communications infrastructure, a secure gateway, simulators, and spare parts. The first four launchers, mounted on Tatra 815-7 6x6 trucks, were delivered in early 2024 for training and evaluation. These Tatra-mounted units will be converted later to the final Dutch configuration, which features Scania Gryphus 8x8 trucks equipped with armored cabins and an autoloading crane to enable crews to independently load launcher pod containers. Deliveries of the remaining sixteen systems, already mounted on the Gryphus platform, are scheduled for 2025 and 2026.

The full complement of twenty launchers will be distributed across two operational batteries: one assigned to 11 Afdeling Rijdende Artillerie and the other to 41 Afdeling Veldartillerie. Each battery will include eight launchers organized into two platoons, while four additional launchers will serve as a training and logistics reserve. These batteries will be subordinated to 43 Gemechaniseerde Brigade and 13 Lichte Brigade. The introduction of rocket artillery will result in the gradual dissolution of the Vuursteun Commando, with its personnel and equipment remaining based in ’t Harde. Training facilities and firing ranges will also remain located there, although additional infrastructure will be required due to the expansion of the artillery branch. A phased personnel recruitment effort is planned to coincide with the incremental deployment of systems across units.

The PULS launcher is capable of launching different rocket types from two sealed pods per vehicle. It can carry 36 Accular 122mm rockets (18 per pod, 35 km range, GPS/INS guidance), 20 Accular 160mm rockets (10 per pod, 40 km range, GPS/INS), 8 EXTRA rockets (4 per pod, 150 km range, GPS/INS), 4 Predator Hawk tactical missiles (2 per pod, 300–400 km range, GPS/INS), or 2 Delilah cruise missiles (1 per pod, 250 km range, CCD/IR and GPS/INS). The PULS can also be configured to fire SkyStriker loitering munitions, six of which fit in a single pod. SkyStriker drones have a range exceeding 100 km, can return and land after reconnaissance, and may be re-used. The system can perform a firing mission in less than one minute and is able to fire six unguided rockets with under one second between launches. It is operational in all weather conditions and can be deployed continuously (24/7). The onboard radar contributes targeting data both to the launcher and to other connected systems, and can detect enemy artillery at depth behind the front line.

The selection of the Israeli-made PULS over the American HIMARS system followed a condensed procurement process. Due to heightened global demand for high-tech weapons systems following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Dutch Ministry of Defence chose to accelerate the acquisition by overlapping the initial planning and research phases. The procurement was approved by the Dutch parliament, and a contract was signed only months later. Operational criteria for the selection included firepower, protection, mobility, endurance, and interoperability. Additional factors were delivery timelines, options for international cooperation, foreign policy alignment, and available budget. The PULS’s open architecture allows future compatibility with ammunition produced by European manufacturers, which differs from HIMARS’s proprietary ammunition constraints. While HIMARS is in service with NATO members such as Romania, Poland, and Lithuania, the Netherlands followed the path taken by Denmark and Spain in opting for the PULS system. Germany has shown interest in joining the program through a joint production initiative with Elbit and KNDS, aiming to begin European assembly of EURO-PULS launchers by 2027.

The PULS systems will contribute to layered artillery support in Dutch ground operations. The current fire support chain includes 120mm mortars for short-range engagements and the PzH2000NL self-propelled howitzers for medium-range fire up to 50 km. PULS will address the long-range gap with its maximum range of up to 400 km, depending on the rocket type selected. The Netherlands previously operated 22 M270 MLRS vehicles from 1988 until their retirement in 2004, after which they were sold to Finland. The reintroduction of rocket artillery aligns with the goals outlined in the 2022 Defence White Paper and is intended to strengthen the ability of the armed forces to deliver indirect fire support against enemy headquarters, logistics hubs, air defense systems, and fire support positions. According to statements by junior Defence minister Christophe van der Maat, NATO’s collective combat power and deterrence posture require fire support systems across all ranges. In addition to the PULS systems, the Netherlands is also acquiring Tomahawk cruise missiles for its naval forces and JASSM-ER standoff missiles for the F-35 fleet, both capable of striking targets over 1,000 km away.

The Tomahawk will be installed on LCF frigates and submarines and is capable of in-flight retargeting. The JASSM-ER will allow Dutch F-35s to engage heavily defended targets deep in enemy territory, compensating for the platform’s lack of current long-range strike options. These systems are expected to enhance operational flexibility across the land, sea, and air domains. The Dutch Ministry of Defence states that the selected weapons feature stealth characteristics, precision guidance, and explosive payloads adequate for disabling well-protected targets. Together with the PULS program, these acquisitions demonstrate the Netherlands’ intent to restore its ability to conduct long-range precision strike operations independently and in coordination with NATO partners. The Royal Netherlands Army will complete full integration of the PULS systems by the end of 2026, creating a renewed long-range fire support capability for national and allied missions.