A look at the Defence news 1 – 7 July
The new Netherlands Minister of Defence, Ruben Brekelmans, completed his first working visit to Ukraine last week. Together with the new Netherlands Minister of Foreign Affairs, Casper Veldkamp, Brekelmans conveyed the message that the Netherlands will continue to support Ukraine.
Earlier last week, Brekelmans and the new State Secretary for Defence, Gijs Tuinman, started in their new positions at the Ministry of Defence. They succeeded Kajsa Ollongren and Christophe van der Maat.
Dutch fighter pilot appointed commander of coalition for Ukraine F-16 capability
Major General Arnoud Stallmann is now the commander of the international coalition that supplies F-16 capability to Ukraine. Besides the Netherlands, the coalition comprises Denmark and the United States.
Investigation into sunken Dutch submarines in Malaysia
An investigation into two Dutch submarines that disappeared in Malaysian waters during the Second World War has been completed. One wreck was found. The investigation was carried out by marine archaeologists from the Netherlands’ Cultural Heritage Agency with the help of Royal Netherlands Navy military personnel. The investigation took place in smooth cooperation with the Malaysian authorities.
Lithuanian general and Netherlands Chief of Defence awarded honours
Last week, the Netherlands Chief of Defence, General Onno Eichelsheim, presented a royal honour to his Lithuanian counterpart, General Valdemaras Rupšys, in Vilnius, the capital city of Lithuania. General Rupšys was awarded the honour for his valuable contribution to the Netherlands armed forces. On the same day, General Eichelsheim received a high Lithuanian honour from President Gitanas Nausėda for the Dutch contribution to strengthening the Lithuanian armed forces. This includes the further development of military cooperation between the two countries and with NATO partners.