News item | 17-04-2025 | 17:40
Defense is using a new patrol ship by the end of this quarter. Defense and the Combination Fugro/Damen Shipyards have made agreements about this. The rented ship increases the so -called Situational Awareness In the North Sea. A deterrent effect must also be made of the presence.
The deployment of the ship is temporary. The Royal Navy is expected to expand its fleet with 2 new multifunctional support vessels. They take over the patrol task.
The rented ship escorts and monitors non-Navo ships. For example, the navy ships of the guard are released for other tasks. The use of the ship is important because of the increased threat. The MIVD has been warning for several years that Russia secretly maps vital infrastructure in the North Sea.
‘State ship’
Due to the chosen hiring construction, the ship is legally a government vessel that performs a government task. As a result, the so -called ‘state ship’ may detect, escort, supervise and monitor, but not exercise violence. The ship does not belong to the navy fleet and gets a civilian crew. If necessary, it is supplemented with soldiers from the Navy. The composition differs per bet. If desired, can be scaled up. Then the ‘state ship’ can rely on ships of the Navy or other defense units.
NATO top
Due to the hiring of the ship, the Navy can use its units more efficiently and more effectively in their preparations for a main task 1 scenario.
The North Sea Infrastructure Protection (PBNI) Program of the Ministry of Infrastructure & Water Management made money available for the ship. It is expected that it is patrolling during the NATO summit in The Hague.