Until last Friday, the Royal Netherlands Navy operated alongside the Belgian and Estonian navies during Sandy Coast 25. The focus was on protecting the Eemshaven, the port of Delfzijl, and data and energy cables.
The Eemshaven can be used for the transit of NATO military equipment. Due to rough seas, participants also moved operations to the waters off Scheveningen.
The international exercise began on 18 August. Its purpose was to improve cooperation between the participants. In addition, Sandy Coast prepared the three countries for possible tasks in response to increasing military threats.
This year, participants worked even more closely with the police and the Netherlands Coast Guard. These organisations operate together with Defence in the Joint Inter Agency Task Force North Sea (JIATF-NS). This task force directs maritime operations, as was the case during the recent NATO summit.
Uncrewed underwater vessels
A notable feature was the use of uncrewed surface vessels and autonomous underwater vessels (AUVs). These are used for reconnaissance and mine clearance. However, not many bombs were cleared this year.
The Air Force’s MQ-9 Reaper uncrewed reconnaissance aircraft was also deployed. It carried out reconnaissance flights and monitored exercise areas.
Participating vessels
The Netherlands took part with the minehunters HNLMS Willemstad and HNLMS Schiedam, the research vessels MV Geosea and Galatea, and the diving support vessel Nautilus. In addition, the Hydrograaf Expeditionary Survey Boat had a task in the Wadden Sea. This survey vessel mapped waters, ports and shipping channels.
Belgium contributed the minehunter BNS Lobelia. So-called Very Shallow Water teams from both the Netherlands and Belgium also took part. Finally, Estonia provided a diving team and explosive ordnance disposal specialists.
