An NH 90 soon in operation in the Indian Ocean against pirates

(BRUXELLES2) This will be the first operational outing abroad for the NH90 helicopter in blue white red colors... from the Netherlands. The NH-90 is indeed traveling aboard the Hr Ms De Ruyter to Somalia, to serve as part of the European Union's anti-piracy mission (Eunavfor Atalanta). It will be used both "for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance", it is specified in The Hague. And thus act as the "eyes and ears" of the frigate. It has advanced detection equipment - infrared thermal equipment, radar, sensors... - and can transmit the collected intelligence through a data link connection quickly and automatically. The helicopter crew consists of a pilot, a tactical mission coordinator and an operator. THE Hr Ms De Ruyter left her home port of Den Helder on January 20 to reach the Indian Ocean via the Suez Canal. The crew is made up of 220 personnel, including a Marine Corps embarkation element, a specialized and heavily armed team to board suspect vessels, as well as a medical team and 13 members providing crew and maintenance of the helicopter.