NATO & Defense
NATO & Defense
Asia & Australia
Agreement between The Netherlands and Japan for military cooperation
NATO & Defense
New Dutch Anti-Submarine Warfare-ships delayed by years
The delivery of the new Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) frigates for the Dutch and Belgian navies has been significantly delayed. According to the Dutch Ministry of Defence, "the original ship design proved to be insufficiently stable", contributing to setbacks in the project.
NATO & Defense
The Netherlands Court of Audit slams Dutch Ministry of Defence over procurement and contracts
The Dutch Ministry of Defence is taking unnecessary risks by too frequently bypassing public procurement procedures and awarding contracts directly, according to the Netherlands Court of Audit. President Pieter Duisenberg delivered the warning while presenting the annual accountability report to the House of Representatives, arguing that the practice undermines fair
NATO & Defense
A more European NATO? The Netherlands wants 'burden shift' between US and European NATO-members
The Dutch government is calling for a shift in the balance of responsibilities within NATO, urging European allies to take over tasks currently carried by the United States. In a briefing to parliament ahead of this week’s NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting in Sweden, The Hague makes clear it wants
NATO & Defense
Netherlands plans major investment to upgrade NATO tanker aircraft
The Dutch Ministry of Defence is set to make a major investment in NATO tanker aircraft, announcing plans to modernise the alliance’s shared refuelling fleet to keep it operational well beyond 2035. The upgrade will take the form of a so‑called midlife update of the Multi‑Role Tanker
United States & Canada
Dutch cabinet: US can use airports in The Netherlands for Iran-war
The United States can use Dutch airports and Dutch airspace for flights and military operations related to the war with Iran. Unlike countries such as Spain, Switzerland, and France, the Netherlands sees no reason to close its airspace or impose restrictions on U.S. military flights. The Dutch government made
NATO & Defense
Major wildfire caused by explosives during military exercise: "This should not have happened"
The major wildfire that broke out in late April at the military training area near ’t Harde was caused during a Defence exercise involving explosives. This emerges from an investigation by the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee. From the cabinet Derk Boswijk, Minister for Arms Procurement and Personnel, responded: “This should not
NATO & Defense
NL prepares fast‑track legislation to tackle false-flagged vessels
The Dutch ministers of Infrastructure and Water Management and of Justice and Security are preparing fast‑track legislation to enable tougher action against so‑called falsely flagged vessels. Why? And what is happening in other European countries?
United States & Canada
Defense Minister: U.S. could impact the Netherlands through fewer training opportunities, "would be very damaging"
Dutch Defense Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz urges for "a cool head" after the U.S. announced it will withdraw troops from Germany. How does The Hague position itself? And in which areas is Dutch defense most reliant on the United States? “We need to keep a cool head,” she
Ukraine
Greater role for Dutch business sector in Ukraine
The Dutch cabinet wants to involve the Dutch business community more prominently in the development and reconstruction of Ukraine.
NATO & Defense
NL will not extend maritime contribution in eastern Mediterranean
The Netherlands will not extend its maritime contribution to security in the eastern Mediterranean. The air-defense and command frigate HNLMS Evertsen will return home in early May. Defense Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz and Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen informed the House of Representatives in a letter that the deployment will not