The Dutch government has decided to deploy air defence and command frigate HNLMS Evertsen in the Mediterranean. The frigate will be deployed in the eastern part of the Mediterranean from 12 March to early April.
HNLMS Evertsen will contribute to the defence of the Carrier Strike Group and the defence of Cyprus and allied territory.
Cross-border pursuits of drug-smuggling vessels around St. Maarten
The coast guards of St. Maarten and Saint-Martin are now allowed to chase ships suspected of drug trafficking in each other’s territorial waters. Last week, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the French Republic signed an agreement to this effect.
Minister visits crucial EU training mission for Ukrainian military personnel
Last week, Netherlands Minister of Defence Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius visited the EU Military Assistance Mission Ukraine (EUMAM) in Germany, where military personnel from European countries train their Ukrainian colleagues. The minister was informed about the objectives, training and results of the mission. She also spoke with instructors and military personnel involved in the training programmes.
Netherlands and other NATO countries test transport of wounded military personnel
On 13 March, the five-day international NATO exercise Casualty Move (CAMO)26, held in Berlin, came to a close. During the exercise, military personnel practised the safe and efficient transport of large numbers of casualties from the front line back to their home nations. CAMO26 was a computer-controlled exercise, which means that it was conducted without using mock casualties.
New cutters strengthen Caribbean Coast Guard
Last week, the Netherlands Ministry of Defence and Damen Workboats signed a contract to build 3 medium-sized patrol vessels for the Caribbean Coast Guard. The patrol vessels, better known as cutters, will replace the current vessels in the Caribbean, which have been in service for more than 25 years. The new patrol vessels are expected to become operational in early 2029.