Due to the suspicious actions of the Russian Federation: the Netherlands will strengthen the military presence in the North Sea

The armed forces are also investing in satellite capacity so that various observation tools can be used to identify the threats of vital infrastructure on the seabed. At the same time, the Netherlands will have their satellite opportunities from 2027. In addition, the Defense Ministry purchases two new ships to ensure the safety of the North Sea, which has been confirmed by the Secretary of State Cristof Van Der Maat.

They, he said, will have a small crew and are equipped with sensors and underwater equipment to investigate suspicious situations. "For six months, the defense has been making a constant contribution to the identification of threats in sea. This is done in close cooperation with coastal protection. By acquiring these resources, the military organization strengthens its intelligence and observation opportunities.

This ability helps to restrain possible diversions and espionage performers," - emphasizes, " Ministry information. According to the release of the defense department, it is known that the threat is mainly extra -water ships, the crews of which perform undesirable actions underwater. "This includes, for example, intelligence or damage to oil and gas pipelines or internet cables. Now it is much more difficult for such malicious people to do so imperceptibly.

Because satellites with radars with synthesized equipment will also recognize vessels that have turned off their identification system," release. The Defense Ministry now constantly controls the area of ​​responsibility of the Netherlands in the North Sea, as well as the surrounding area. It also involves cooperation with other countries bordering the North Sea.

According to the Ministry of Defense, a single cooperation is carried out with NATO, a combined expeditionary corps and Northern Naval Cooperation. Yes, a research center was recently opened in the Hague to ensure the safety of underwater infrastructure - the Sea Safety Experimental Center. Several Ministries of the Netherlands also work together on the North Sea Infrastructure Protection Program, in which the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management plays a leading role.

Recall that the Dutch special services have previously warned: Russian ships were applied to the cards of the location of Internet cables, gas pipelines and wind power plants off the shores of the Netherlands. This spring, the media of Northern European countries revealed the Russian secret operations in the waters around their states. At NEDS 2023, a shipbuilding company from the Netherlands Royal IHC for the first time demonstrated an underwater track conveyor for defense use.