A look at the Defence news 18 – 24 March
Last week, King Willem-Alexander visited Operation Interflex. In this training programme in the United Kingdom, army units, including members of the Royal Netherlands Army, are providing training to Ukrainian military personnel.
The Netherlands to procure over € 150 million in ammunition for F-16s for Ukraine
The Netherlands has allocated over € 150 million for the purchase of ammunition for Ukraine. The money will be used to buy air-to-ground weapons for the F-16s that will go to Ukraine. This ammunition will be purchased directly from the manufacturer. This was announced by the Netherlands Minister of Defence, Kajsa Ollongren, following a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group last week. The Netherlands will also again be sending the previously promised F-16s to Romania, where these fighter aircraft will be deployed for the training centre for Ukrainian and Romanian pilots.
Dutch trade delegation accompanies Ollongren on visit to Ukraine
Last week, Netherlands Minister of Defence Kajsa Ollongren visited Ukraine. The minister was accompanied by a trade delegation, as it is important that both countries also keep in touch regarding the defence industry. In this context, a few cooperation contracts were concluded.
HNLMS Groningen heading to the Caribbean
HNLMS Groningen is on its way to the Caribbean, where it will serve as a guard ship until the end of August. Its tasks include supporting the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard, providing humanitarian aid and conducting counter-drug operations.