The exercise is therefore much more than just a fight. There is a lot of practice with new developments, such as drones, and much use is made of simulations. For example, all vehicles are equipped with sensors. Commanders can then see remotely where all vehicles are located on digital maps. With these sensors they can, among other things, impose obstacles, such as a minefield. If you cross it with a vehicle, the car will stop. The soldier then hears via the intercom that the exercise is over for him or her.
“It’s not about what goes well, it’s about learning,” says Van Ingen. The goal is to regain territory from an enemy. “You can’t just do that by throwing bombs or using unmanned vehicles. Then you need people on the ground. This 43 Mechanized Brigade is extremely suitable for that.”
But to fight there, you have to get there first. That is why many military vehicles will be driving through the country in the coming days, including through Drenthe. This morning several columns left Havelte towards ‘t Harde. There they go on the train to Germany. And therefore not via Steenwijk station, which is normally the boarding point for the brigade.
“The brigade does not decide where it goes on the train,” Van Ingen responds. “A plan is created, and this plan means that we have to go to ‘t Harde.”
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