Last week, the armed forces of South Korea and the Netherlands issued a declaration of intent to undertake closer cooperation. The declaration sets out that there will be increased knowledge sharing between the two countries as well as joint participation in military exercises, but also cooperation in the development of logistics solutions for transport and supplies.
Rival major powers put pressure on Europe's security
Last week, the Defence Intelligence and Security Service (DISS) published its 2025 annual report and sent it to the Dutch Senate and House of Representatives. The report describes how rival major powers are vying for political, military, economic and technological power and are threatening Europe's security. It goes on to say that major powers such as China and Russia have big geopolitical ambitions and are pushing back against western influence in the world and that Chinese businesses are supporting the Russian war effort in Ukraine, making them major players in the growing threat against Europe and NATO.
Royal Netherlands Navy vessel intercepts drug shipment in Caribbean
HNLMS Friesland intercepted a drug shipment in the Caribbean Sea last week. The three smugglers were handed over to the Aruba Police Force and the drugs destroyed.