The Dutch go all out on intelligence and Ocean Shield
(BRUXELLES2) The Dutch Parliament yesterday (Tuesday 12 June) accepted a stronger Dutch commitment to NATO's anti-piracy operation, Ocean Shield. The EU operation, Atalanta, was deemed " controversial », by the Dutch parliamentarians, because of its new mandate extended to the Somali coasts, and will therefore have to be discussed after the elections in September.
For Ocean Shield, the Netherlands will therefore send the Hr. Ms. Rotterdam, an amphibious transport ship, equipped with two Cougar helicopters and a drone. On board the ship there is also a special marine infantry unit to enable control and release operations to be carried out. A submarine will also join the mission in the second half of the year. This will make it possible to increase the function of "intelligence" in the area, specifies the Ministry of Defense. Cost of this additional commitment: 13 million euros.
Private security: still no
Defense Minister Hans Hillen has spoken out against the use of private security firms for on-board protection teams (VPD). Despite the additional costs, he said that " all armed forces must be under the responsibility of the state in order to ensure precision and proportional measures “Reports our colleagues from Dutch radio. A point of view which will not surprise because it confirms a position already taken and defended in the past.
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