The air defence and command frigate HNLMS Evertsen will remain in the Mediterranean Sea until early May 2026. Ministers Tom Berendsen (Foreign Affairs) and Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius (Defence) informed Dutch Parliament of this on 2 April.
The naval vessel contributes to the defence of the French Carrier Strike Group, a task force centred around the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. In addition, the frigate helps defend Cyprus and allied territory. The Dutch frigate has been part of this task group since 4 February.
France requested continued Dutch support in the task group in early March. The sensors and weapon systems on HNLMS Evertsen are well suited to defend a naval formation against threats from drones and missiles.
Also read: Defensive deployment of Dutch frigate to Mediterranean
Defensive deployment
The Dutch government decided in March to deploy the ship due to unrest in the Middle East. The deployment is defensive in nature, and the mandate remains unchanged. HNLMS Evertsen is well equipped to detect drones and missiles at an early stage and intercept them.
Photo: HNLMS Evertsen at sea (photo by the Dutch Ministry of Defence).
Also read: HNLMS Evertsen tests drone neutralisation with missile
