The deployment of a Dutch military security team for the protection of World Food Programme transports to Somalia will be extended by a maximum of 3 months. That was the upshot of a letter sent to the House of Representatives on behalf of the Government by Minister of Foreign Affairs Rosenthal and M
Multipurpose frigate HNLMS Van Amstel last week returned to its home base of Den Helder. For the past three months, the ship was deployed to counter piracy in the waters of Somalia. The Van Amstel also escorted UN World Food Programme ships sailing in the area. The navy frigate left for the Somali B
The Dutch and Australian armed forces are looking into ways to intensify their cooperation with regard to cyber warfare, submarines and the F-35. This was announced during the visit to Australia by the Netherlands Chief of Defence, General Peter van Uhm. “Due, among other things, to the strategic po
During a port visit by EU Naval Force Flag Ship FS MARNE in Salalah (Oman), the EUNAVFOR Force Commander Rear Admiral Dupuis flew to Muscat on June 12 and 13 to meet Omani maritime authorities. After an initial meeting on June 11 in Salalah with the local commander of the Royal Navy of Oman, EUNAVFO
The Dutch contribution to NATO’s counterpiracy operation Ocean Shield is to be expanded. A second helicopter and an unmanned aerial vehicle for reconnaissance will give an impulse to intelligence-gathering in particular. A submarine will once again also be deployed for this task. Although the House
The Annual Telegraphists Air Gunners Association (TAGA) Memorial Service was held at the Fleet Air Arm Memorial at Lee-on-Solent on Sunday 20th May. Telegraphist Air Gunners operated in Fleet Air Arm aircraft from 1922, from aircraft carriers both large and small. 3000 personnel were trained as gunn
On June 12th, EU Naval Force rescued a small fishing boat on the northern coast of Somalia. In the afternoon of June 12th, EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Italian frigate Scirocco rescued a small fishing boat (skiff type) in distress with two Somali fishermen coming from the town of Alula, on the norther
Portsmouth based Fishery Protection Vessel HMS Mersey closed one chapter and opened another today when Lieutenant Commander Sarah Oakley took over from Lieutenant Commander Mark Anderson as Mersey’s Commanding Officer. Lieutenant Commander Oakley joined the Royal Navy in 1995 after reading a degree
Triggered by growing pirate threats endangering safety of merchant ships, the Members of Cyprus Parliament have unanimously supported a bill, enabling the ships to have armed guards and use weaponry in order to defend themselves in case of pirate attacks, ITAR-TASS announced. This is the first bill
The 2012 edition of the annual UDT Europe show – a leading forum for the international undersea defence community – will be held in Alicante, Spain, from 29 to 31 May. DCNS specialists will present papers and displays on some of the Group’s latest technologies. A consistent innovator thanks to its R
On Sunday 27 May EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Dutch frigate Van Amstel rendezvoused at sea with World Food Programme (WFP) chartered ship MV Caroline Scan to re-supply the Dutch protection team onboard – known as an Autonomous Vessel Protection Detachment or AVPD . The Dutch AVPD, which consists of ar
May 22, the EU Naval Force Operation Commander was welcomed on board Flag Ship FS MARNE to visit the ‘in theatre’ Force Commander and his staff. In Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, Operation Commander Rear Admiral Duncan Potts visited FS MARNE and met EUNAVFOR Force Commander Rear Admiral Jean-Baptiste Dupu
On May 20, MARSIC (Maritime Security and Safety) members visited ESPS REINA SOFIA in Djibouti as part of the EU Naval Force’s regional maritime capacity building effort. ESPS REINA SOFIA had the opportunity to organise a visit and tour around the ship for a group of MARSIC members. The visit, which
EU Naval Force Warship FS NIVÔSE welcomed ten Djiboutian coast guards on 16 May for training and discussion on skiff interception, vessel protection teams and online communication. During a port visit in Djibouti, the crew of NIVÔSE and members of the Djiboutian coast guard shared their experiences
