From this week, the Royal Netherlands Navy is active with two ships, the HNLMS Van Amstel and HNLMS De Ruyter, for the Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1). This is one of NATO’s four permanent maritime reaction forces.
HNLMS Van Amstel left Den Helder on 26 August, HNLMS De Ruyter already left the port last week. The Van Amstel is scheduled to sail for SNMG1 for about 3.5 months. The De Ruyter is expected back in Den Helder in mid-October.
The multipurpose frigate Van Amstel’s approximately 160-strong crew is deployable for anti-submarine warfare, among other things. De Ruyter, with about twenty more crew on board, focuses on air defence and command and control. All these capabilities are relevant for deployment in the NATO fleet.
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Training and readiness
Participation in the NATO fleet partnership not only provides crews with valuable operational experience and training. It also contributes to the skills and readiness of the ship and the Dutch navy. In this way, the navy contributes to both national and international security.
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Rapid reaction force
SNMG1 consists of warships from several NATO countries. The fleet operates in the North Sea, Baltic Sea and Atlantic Ocean. The fleet is part of NATO’s Rapid Reaction Force and is deployable 24/7 when requested by NATO. With increasing tensions caused by Russia, these units are more important than ever for the defence of the allied territory.
The ships patrol, conduct joint operations and also conduct joint exercises. One of these is Northern Viking in Icelandic waters. This exercise with NATO allies will start as early as this week. Submarine warfare is one of the focal points here.
Picture: HNLMS Van Amstel leaving the Port of Den Helder on 26 August (by the Dutch Ministry of Defence).
Also read: Seven Dutch naval vessels partake in NATO exercise
