‘Green, quiet and peaceful’ is how the highest NATO general in Europe assesses our country. The Supreme Allied Commander Europe (‘Saceur’) is here for the first time. Alexus ‘Grinch’ Grynkewich watched the major nuclear exercise at Volkel. Seventy fighter planes trained there, among other things, for the gloomy scenario in which nuclear weapons must be dropped.
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There he also spoke to one of the Dutch F-35 pilots who shot a Russian drone out of the sky on September 10. “Very valuable to hear from him how that went,” the general says with appreciation.
Europe is still under the spell of drone incidents and airspace violations, especially on the eastern flank of the NATO area. But the activity appears to be waning, so apparently the Russians are being deterred by the Eastern Sentry drone interception mission and other countermeasures being put in place, the general says.
“We see indications that the Russians are more careful. That they realize that they have crossed the line.” Russian MiG fighter planes crossed Estonian airspace and the F-35s immediately joined them. “Then you saw that the MiGs flew a very wide arc around Estonia.”
Action against drones more difficult due to patchwork of rules
Action against suspected drones on the eastern side of the NATO area is still made difficult by a patchwork of national rules. For example, some countries require fighter pilots to see a flying object with their own eyes before they can shoot it down. Other countries are already allowed to open fire based on radar data.
“We are making progress to close those disparities,” Grynkewich said. “My goal is to equalize all rules of engagement in the coming months. So that everyone, fighter pilots or operators of systems on the ground, knows what they can and cannot do.”
This mainly concerns drone incidents where it is not immediately clear whether there is a serious threat. In the event of an obvious attack, there is no need to discuss whether a counterattack may be launched.
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Such a ‘vague’ incident occurred last month when a drone appeared during a major exercise by Dutch soldiers in Poland, not far from the Russian border. It then turned out that there were no means available to remove an unknown drone (possibly Russian) from the air.
“There are still lessons we can learn,” says the Dutch Commander of the Armed Forces, General Onno Eichelsheim. “The Poles are now setting up more security around the training area. We must better coordinate with the host country of an exercise how we defend ourselves against drones.”
Drones are not the only way Russia is waging ‘hybrid warfare’ against Europe. Sabotage, arson and cyber attacks are also part of the toolbox. NATO is formulating a response to this, says Grynkewich. It is important to ensure that sabotage no longer pays off, so that it is no longer worthwhile for the Russians to invest in it.
During his visit to the Netherlands, Grynkewich also attended an exercise at Volkel. © Floris Oosterveld
But a more powerful answer is also being considered. “I believe that we should no longer just react, but also take a proactive approach.”
The general cannot go into too much detail about what that looks like because of confidentiality. But there are plans at a high level to think of ways to make things very unpleasant for the Russians. “Let’s say we can give them something to think about.”
F-35s from Leeuwarden and Volkel in action for the first time in Poland after Russia’s attack with Shahed drones
Europe’s highest general is satisfied with the Dutch defense efforts, although we do not yet meet all NATO requirements. “All countries still have gaps in their capacity,” says Grynkewich. “But you are going as fast as you can. And what else the Netherlands contributes to the alliance, my goodness! The mission in Iraq, the command of the fleet. A real textbook example.”
There is great appreciation for the Dutch NATO efforts © Floris Oosterveld
NATO boss Mark Rutte already warned of a scenario in which China asks its ally Russia to attack Europe, so that China can conquer Taiwan at the same time. America cannot handle both invasions at once. “Our opponents are aligning themselves,” Grynkewich agrees.
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“Chinese money and Iranian technology fuel Putin’s war industry. We are indeed thinking about multiple crises at the same time. The US cannot both protect the Western Hemisphere and defend interests in the Indo-Pacific and do everything we always did in Europe. Can we handle multiple conflicts at the same time? Absolutely, but it will be difficult. Are we ready? A little more every day.”