A look at the Defence news 8-14 July
The Netherlands and NATO allies are to continue to provide military support to Ukraine. The NATO countries also committed to spending 2% of their respective GDPs on the collective defence of allied territory. That was the most important result of the NATO summit in Washington DC.
The allies also agreed to strengthen Ukraine's air defence, among other things. In addition, they pledged to invest more in defence and to increase production capacity for military purposes.
At the summit, Netherlands Minister of Defence Ruben Brekelmans and his NATO colleagues signed a letter of intent regarding the use of commercial satellites, with a view to enabling NATO to keep a close eye on potential threats to the alliance.
Minister Brekelmans also signed an agreement for the procurement of First Person View (FPV) drones. The Netherlands is to make an investment of €20 million in this area. The purchase will be made through an international drone coalition set up earlier this year.
The Netherlands is also purchasing an additional €300 million in ammunition for the F-16s that our country will soon be delivering to Ukraine. It comes on top of the €150 million already reserved for this purpose.
Brekelmans attended the NATO summit together with the new Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Dick Schoof, and Netherlands Minister of Foreign Affairs, Caspar Veldkamp.
Dutch Patriot air defence personnel train with NATO partners in Lithuania
A Dutch Patriot unit is currently participating in the 2-week Baltic Connection 2024 air defence exercise in Lithuania. The programme includes cooperation with the Lithuanian, Spanish and Portuguese air forces.
HNLMS Karel Doorman helps in averting drone attack in Gulf of Aden
Last week, the Greek naval vessel HS Psara averted a drone attack by the Houthis. The attack took place during the escort and protection of a cargo ship through the Gulf of Aden, a procedure that is part of the EU operation Aspides. The Greek crew downed two drones in the attack. The crew of HNLMS Karel Doorman had warned their Greek colleagues about the approaching threat. The Dutch ship was also ready to provide medical assistance. That proved unnecessary as no-one was injured in the attack, nor was there any material damage.
Netherlands and US disrupt Russian digital influence operation
Working in close cooperation with the Netherlands General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD), the Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) and the Dutch National Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Cyber National Mission Force (CNMF) recently disrupted a Russian digital campaign. The campaign was aimed at influencing the public debate in the US and was being directed from a Dutch server.
‘Drugs hunter’ HNLMS Groningen makes sixth seizure since April
HNLMS Groningen has once more intercepted a drugs transport in the Caribbean. The patrol ship arrested a go-fast boat with eight people on board, carrying 228 kilos of cocaine. The interception took place on 26 June, but was only made public last week.
State Secretary for Defence in Lithuania: “We must be prepared to fight if someone pushes the button”
Last week, Netherlands State Secretary for Defence, Gijs Tuinman, completed his first international working visit to Lithuania, where he visited Dutch military personnel. They are either part of the forward NATO presence or are in Lithuania for an exercise with a Patriot air defence system. Tuinman spoke with his Lithuanian counterpart Renius Pleškys. He also stressed the preparedness of the troops. “If someone pushes the button, our men and women must be ready to fight in Lithuania.”
Navy trains near Hawaii to protect global safety of sea lanes
Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) is one of the world's largest naval exercises, in which mainly the countries bordering the Pacific participate. This month, the Netherlands is also joining the exercise, which will be held in the waters around Hawaii. The existing and new collaborations at RIMPAC are designed to protect the safety of sea lanes around the world.
State Secretary commemorates Srebrenica genocide with surviving relatives
"It is essential that war criminals are brought to justice." The Netherlands State Secretary for Defence Gijs Tuinman spoke these words during the National Commemoration of the Srebrenica Genocide in The Hague. He made his address to some 200 Bosnian-Dutch citizens, including relatives of the victims, on behalf of the Dutch government.