A look at the Defence news 31 March - 6 April
Over the past four months, Dutch F-35 fighter aircraft intercepted 23 Russian aircraft while patrolling NATO’s eastern flank. Portuguese F-16 aircraft took over their duties last week after the Dutch mission came to an end. The Royal Netherlands Air Force detachment, numbering four aircraft and around 150 military personnel, operated from Ämari Air Base in Estonia. The Dutch fighters monitored the border of the NATO treaty area. Their duties also included the 'quick reaction alert' task, which is activated when an aircraft approaches NATO airspace without identifying itself.
Chinook transport helicopters finish job in Iraq
After hundreds of flights in Iraq, three RNLAF Chinook helicopters and a 100-strong air force detachment are returning to the Netherlands. The final operational flight was conducted early last week, bringing the unit’s mission to an end. The transport helicopters had been flying for NATO Mission Iraq (NMI) and the anti-ISIS mission Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) under the name Task Force Lion since 1 June 2024.
Minister wants to make haste in scaling up support for Ukraine
Last week, Netherlands Minister of Defence Ruben Brekelmans and his EU counterparts visited Warsaw for the informal meeting of defence ministers, where they discussed EU support for Ukraine. Brekelmans stressed that, given the growing threats, it is essential for European countries to speed up their contributions to credible deterrence and defence. The European Commission's new Readiness 2030 White Paper for European Defence was also discussed. This document sets out the measures required to strengthen European defence.
Sweden also opts for Embraer aircraft
It was announced last week that Sweden is to purchase the C-390 Millennium aircraft, after joining the Austrian-Dutch agreement with the Brazilian firm Embraer. The contract allowed for the option of additional countries taking part. Together, the three signees will purchase 13 C-390 transport aircraft: the Netherlands is to purchase five, and Austria and Sweden will both buy four. This cooperation provides the countries with economies of scale in training, maintenance and sustainment. Furthermore, all 13 C-390s will have the same configuration, making it easier to operate together and exchange personnel.
Minister reports sharper conclusions by the committee on weapon deployment in Hawija
The Sorgdrager Committee is in part adjusting its conclusions on the Dutch deployment of weapons in Hawija. The committee informed the Ministry of Defence accordingly in writing last week. The committee is taking this step following the recent discovery and study of video footage from an F-16 aircraft that was in the area. The video footage was taken the morning after the attack, which took place on the night of 2 to 3 June 2015, and recorded the impact of the Dutch weapon deployment against an ISIS car bomb factory in Hawija. The minister has ordered internal and external investigations into how video footage of the weapon deployment could have gone missing for such a considerable amount of time.