A look at the Defence news 4 – 10 December
Maritime mission in the Strait of Hormuz led by Belgium and the Netherlands.
For 6 months, Belgium and the Netherlands will be in command of the European Maritime Awareness in the Strait of Hormuz (EMASoH). This European maritime security initiative started in 2020, following rising tensions in the Gulf region. EMASoH aims to reduce these tensions. By building up a picture of what is happening in the region, the mission also contributes to safe passage for civilian vessels.
Undersea infrastructure security research centre opened in The Hague
The Netherlands is conducting experimental research with Denmark, Germany, Finland, Norway and Sweden to protect undersea infrastructure. This includes, among other things, pipelines and cables. To this end, the Seabed Security Experimentation Centre was opened in The Hague last week. At the centre, researchers are experimenting with new equipment to protect the seabed.
RNLN escorts Russian vessels on the North Sea
Last week, the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) escorted Russian vessels on the North Sea. The vessels were escorted by the air defence and command frigate HNLMS De Ruyter and an NH90 naval attack helicopter.
Defence official Davidse calls for more female peacekeepers
During the 2-day UN Peacekeeping Conference for Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defence in Ghana, Director-General for Policy Affairs of the Netherlands Ministry of Defence, Koen Davidse, called for more female peacekeepers. “Ghana currently provides the largest number of female military peacekeepers to the United Nations”, Davidse said, “but they still face practical, operational and social barriers to their integration and successful deployment.”