Naval vessels of the NATO Response Force and the UK Carrier Strike Group are working closely together over the next two weeks. In Scottish waters and the North Sea, they are preparing for a gloomy scenario: maritime warfare. Dutch frigate HNLMS Van Amstel is part of the Strike Warrior exercise.
The Dutch ship is currently affiliated to the NATO fleet group Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1). In it, it has a clear role, which is also applied during the exercise: defence of the entire fleet group. The British are leading the exercise.
The Van Amstel, including its NH90 maritime combat helicopter, specialises in detecting submarines. The frigate trains to find and defuse these often invisible underwater threats. This allows the fleet to operate safely. Taking action against surface threats is also part of its remit.
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Nerve centre
The British have deployed, among others, the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales and its task force. This ship can safely be called Strike Warrior’s nerve centre. On board are, among other things, F-35s. These are equipped with advanced technology to share information with other units. This means they can quickly transmit air defence data to ships.
By simulating high-intensity combat operations, all participants should be well prepared for the challenges of maritime warfare. Mutual cooperation is vital here. Should it ever come to it, NATO partners must be able to operate optimally with each other. Then they will not only defend their own country, but the entire alliance.
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Reaction Force
Strike Warrior will last until 27 October. The Dutch naval vessel will then continue its regular work for SNMG1. This is one of NATO’s four permanent reaction forces.
Picture: Three participating ships, with HNLMS Van Amstel in the middle (photo by Dutch Ministry of Defence).
Also read: Dutch navy sends two ships for Standing NATO fleet
