The air-defence and command frigate HNLMS Evertsen will be deployed in the eastern Mediterranean from this week until early April. There, the frigate will contribute to the defence of the Carrier Strike Group and the protection of Cyprus and allied territory.
Ministers Tom Berendsen (Foreign Affairs) and Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius (Defence) informed the Dutch Senate and House of Representatives of this on 9 March. Berendsen: ‘With this deployment, the Netherlands demonstrates allied solidarity and contributes to European cooperation in protecting the international rule of law.’
Minister Yeşilgöz-Zegerius adds: ‘HNLMS Evertsen has unique capabilities to detect aerial threats from long distances. This enables the crew to protect themselves and their allies. By operating together with the French, we also strengthen European cooperation.’
Also read: Dutch govt considers deploying frigate to Mediterranean
Defensive deployment
The deployment is defensive in nature and follows recent developments in the Middle East and attacks by Iran on neighbouring countries, including several partners of the Netherlands. Through this mission, the Netherlands contributes to European cooperation to safeguard the international rule of law and demonstrates solidarity with its European partners.
The air-defence and command frigate HNLMS Evertsen has been part of the naval task group centred around the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle since 4 February. France requested continued Dutch support in the task group last week. The sensors and weapon systems on HNLMS Evertsen are well suited to defend a naval formation against threats from drones and missiles.
Picture: Air defence and command frigate HNLMS Evertsen (photo by the Dutch Ministry of Defence).
Also read: New Dutch submarines get advanced torpedo from the outset
