A look at the Defence news 24 - 30 May

The Ministry of Defence has started excavating a British aircraft in Nieuwe Niedorp in the province of North Holland. The Vickers Wellington bomber was shot down by a German night fighter in the Second World War and may still contain remains of the Czech crew.

Enlarge image A British Vicker Wellington bomber flying (black and white picture).
A British Vicker Wellington bomber.

Netherlands purchases multi-mission radar for Norway

Norway has purchased 5 multi-mission radar systems through the intermediation of the Netherlands Ministry of Defence. Thales Nederland will start delivering the systems at the end of 2023.

Prioritise and specialise in joint defence capabilities

The Netherlands wishes to focus to the greatest extent possible on developing capabilities that benefit both the EU and NATO. The EU’s strategic compass must therefore devote sufficient attention to the planning process and specialisation. This was one of the matters discussed during the informal EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting of ministers of defence.

Budget adopted for investments in materiel for the Netherlands Caribbean Coastguard

The 2019-2028 long-term plan guarantees funding for Netherlands Caribbean Coastguard operations for the coming years. Until and including 2028, a total of € 168 million will be available to the Netherlands Caribbean Coastguard. This funding is intended for the replacement of materiel.

Ministry of Defence thanks UN peacekeepers for their service

On 29 May 2021, UN partners, the Netherlands Ministry of Defence among them, observed the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. The date is observed each year because it is the date on which the first UN peacekeeping mission was established in 1948. Over 1 million international peacekeepers have since contributed to 72 UN peace missions.

American fallen commemorated in Margraten

American troops who died in Europe during the Second World War were commemorated today at the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in Margraten.