News item | 03-03-2022 | 15:19
The air defense and command frigate Zr.Ms. De Zeven Provinciën will leave Den Helder next Sunday. Over the next four months, the naval vessel will join Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1), one of the rapid-deployment fleet groups from NATO’s flash force. Minister Kajsa Ollongren waves goodbye to the approximately 190 crew members. Earlier in the morning, Zr.Ms. Rotterdam to Norway.
The SNMG1 is mainly active in the North Atlantic Ocean, North Sea and the Baltic Sea. The fleet consists of naval vessels from various NATO allies. The ships participate in various large exercises such as Cold Response near Norway to strengthen mutual cooperation. Above all, they are available 24/7 for orders from NATO headquarters.
Sr.Ms. De Zeven Provinciën is equipped with a NH90 maritime combat helicopter of the Defense Helicopter Command (DHC). The naval vessel takes the multipurpose frigate Zr.Ms. Van Amstel, which is currently part of SNMG1. The Netherlands will command the maritime task group throughout 2022. This is currently in the hands of the Dutch commander Ad van de Sande.
Earlier in the morning, Zr.Ms. Rotterdam. The amphibious transport ship with approximately 275 soldiers on board is also taking part in the large Cold Response exercise. The ship is equipped with 2 Cougar helicopters of the Defense Helicopter Command and landing craft of the Marine Corps. Sr.Ms. Rotterdam is also part of the NATO response force. The ship has a slightly longer response time than Zr.Ms. The Seven Provinces.