A look at the Defence news 19 - 25 May
In recent weeks, air defence and command frigates HNLMS De Ruyter and HNLMS Tromp took part in Formidable Shield, which was conducted under American command. HNLMS De Ruyter in particular made a substantial contribution to this major biennial maritime exercise. The ship fired multiple guided weapons and detected a ballistic missile.
The aim of Formidable Shield is to enhance interoperability between international partners, with a focus on integrated air and missile defence.
Falcon Spring honours reliable air mobility partnership
Falcon Spring is not just a realistic preparation for possible Russian hostilities; the exercise also gives the 1,500 participants confidence in their own abilities, but also in the United States as an ally. During exercise Falcon Spring, which ended last Friday, the US 12th Combat Aviation Brigade (12 CAB) lived up to that reputation. Falcon Spring is an annual joint training exercise of 11 Airmobile Brigade and the Defence Helicopter Command, and the American brigade is a regular guest.
Departing troop commander Schreurs sees future for Iraq
Lieutenant General Cas Schreurs led the NATO mission in Iraq (NMI) for one year. Now his job is done. Last Thursday, he handed over command to French Major General Christophe Hintzy in Baghdad. NMI aims to bolster security and stability in Iraq and reduce the threat of terrorism. This is done by training, advising and assisting the defence and security sector. “Iraq is literally and figuratively building and trying to become a stable factor in this volatile region,” Schreurs said. “Things are slowly heading in the right direction.”
Netherlands Minister of Defence: “Europe has the talent and the budget to be the best in the cyber domain”
Cyber attacks are a part of life that can no longer be ignored. No matter whether it concerns the port of Rotterdam, a hospital or a defence site, these attacks are now affecting everyone. Europe must therefore act decisively in the field of cyber security, Netherlands Minister of Defence Ruben Brekelmans said. “We need to develop digital resilience and build our own capabilities.” Brekelmans said this last week towards the end of the Cyber Investor Days, the largest pan-European cyber security event.
MIVD: Netherlands target of spy campaign by Russian hackers
Russian GRU Cyber Unit 26165, better known as APT28, is responsible for cyber espionage against Ukraine and NATO countries. An investigation by multiple parties, including the US National Security Agency (NSA) and the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), has shown that the Netherlands was one of the countries targeted. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Dutch Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) reached the same conclusion.