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Netherlands deploys submarine in fight against piracy

News item | 22-06-2010

The Netherlands is deploying a submarine to help combat piracy in the waters off Somalia. The vessel will take part in the NATO Operation Ocean Shield from late September to late November 2010.

The Dutch submarine will perform surveillance for the units in the operational area. Its capacities will be a welcome addition to Ocean Shield's current patrol resources, which include helicopters and maritime aircraft.

The costs of the deployment, up to a maximum of €2.3 million, will be paid from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' fund for crisis management operations.

'We and our allies are making headway in the fight against piracy,' said Minister Verhagen. 'The number of hijackings of merchant navy ships is decreasing.'

Besides the submarine deployment, the Dutch frigate HNLMS Tromp will take part in the anti-piracy operations for two months longer than originally planned, from March to early June 2011. The deployment of the command frigates HNLMS De Zeven Provinciën and HNMLS De Ruyter, as well as the Dutch contribution to the EU's Operation Atalanta, will continue as planned.