A look at the Defence news 8–14 November
Lieutenant General Kees Matthijssen is to be appointed the new Commander of the UN mission Minusma in Mali for a minimum period of 1 year. Before the end of this year, he will be in charge of a force of almost 14,000 Blue Helmets. They are in Mali to contribute to security and stability.
V-CHOD: international cooperation much needed against complex airborne threats
The Netherlands Chief of Defence, Vice Admiral Boudewijn Boots, opened the biennial Nimble Titan congress by pointing out that airborne threats are becoming more complex, faster and originate from further afield. At the congress, international partners discuss developments in the field of integrated air and missile defence.
F-16s from Volkel train with Italian NATO partners
Setting up an independently functioning training site in next to no time, somewhere beyond the borders of one's own country: this is the challenge set in Exercise Italian Export. Last week, 11 F-16s left for Italy from Volkel Air Base to participate in this exercise.
Air Force sends Belgian F-16s to intercept Russian aircraft
2 Belgian F-16s took off to intercept 2 Russian military aircraft last Friday. 2 TU-160 'Blackjack' strategic bombers flew into the Dutch area of responsibility without identifying themselves. Nieuw Milligen Air Operations Control Station directed the actions of the F-16s.
Defence delegation discusses security issues with Russian colleagues
Last week, a delegation from the Netherlands Ministry of Defence discussed with Russian partners in Moscow how to prevent incidents at and over the sea outside territorial waters. The feint attacks on HNLMS Evertsen were also discussed.