A look at the Defence news 20 – 26 October
The Royal Netherlands Navy combat support ship HNLMS Den Helder is to conduct warm weather tests in the Caribbean until mid-November.
The high humidity in combination with high sea temperatures form the ideal conditions to test the response of the ship and its systems. HNLMS Den Helder is the latest addition to the Royal Netherlands Navy.
NATO flotilla SNMG1 strengthens ties with Ireland
NATO flagship HNLMS Johan de Witt and the German frigate FGS Hamburg were moored for several days in the Irish city of Dublin last week. Both ships are part of Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1). During the port visit, relations between the NATO flotilla and the Irish navy were strengthened.
Although Ireland has a long tradition of military neutrality, Ireland and NATO member states work together regularly on the basis of NATO’s Partnership for Peace programme.
British and Dutch military personnel train for NATO tasks from the sea
NATO naval forces are currently preparing for the protection of the NATO treaty area. The preparations include the participation of the Royal Netherlands Navy and the UK’s Royal Navy. In recent weeks, extensive exercises were conducted just off the British and French coasts, the objective being that various units learn to operate as an integrated and well-oiled machine. HNLMS Johan de Witt also took part in the exercises.