The Government of the Netherlands has decided to deploy the De Zeven Provinciën-class air defense and command frigate HNLMS Evertsen in the eastern Mediterranean from this week until early April.
Dutch MoD press release
The frigate will contribute to the defense of the Carrier Strike Group and the defense of Cyprus and allied territory. Ministers Tom Berendsen (Foreign Affairs) and Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius (Defense) announced this today to the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Minister Berendsen: “With this commitment, the Netherlands demonstrates allied solidarity and contributes to European cooperation in the protection of the international legal order.”
Minister Yeşilgöz-Zegerius: “HNLMS Evertsen has unique capabilities to detect airborne threats from a great distance. This allows the crew to protect themselves and their allies. By operating together with the French, we are also strengthening our operations within the European context.”
This is a defensive deployment in response to recent developments in the Middle East and Iran’s attacks on neighboring countries, including several of the Netherlands’ partners. In doing so, the Netherlands contributes to European cooperation to protect the international rule of law. It also demonstrates its solidarity with its European partners.
Part of a carrier strike group
The air defense and command frigate HNLMS Evertsen has been part of the carrier strike group (CSG) with the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle since February 4th. France requested the Netherlands last week for continued support within the CSG. HNLMS Evertsen‘s sensors and weapon systems are well-suited to defending a CSG against the threat of drones and missiles.
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Naval News comments:
In recent days, several European navies have tasked vessels with the protection of Cyprus (which was hit last week by Iranian drones), including the French Navy, Royal Navy, Hellenic Navy, Spanish Navy, Italian Navy… amid Iranian tensions.
