Netherlands considers military deployment against COVID-19
The Netherlands Ministry of Defence has said that the country’s armed forces will provide support to health professionals where and when necessary, to help deal with the impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Defence minister Ank Bijleveld-Schouten said that the Netherlands has not needed to deploy military personnel yet but the ministry is considering a range of potential scenarios.
She also hinted that military medical facilities could be used for COVID-19 patients such as the military hospital in Utrecht which has quarantine capabilities and suitable ventilation.
Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) amphibious transport vessels such as HNLMS Johan de Witt, HNLMS Rotterdam and HLMS Karel Doorman(pictured) each include sickbays to host patients with infectious diseases. They also have operating theatres and 30 intensive care beds which may be required.
HLMS Karel Doorman was deployed to West Africa in 2014 to help contain the outbreak of Ebola in that region.
As of 18 March, 2,051 people had tested positive for coronavirus in the Netherlands.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Navy’s $275 billion BBGN plan hinges on shipyard transformation]()
US Navy’s $275 billion BBGN plan hinges on shipyard transformation
The US Navy’s planned nuclear-powered warship carries a US$275 billion price tag, but the greater story lies in the industrial overhaul needed to build it, from AI-enabled design to digital twins and modular construction.
-
![Industry sees opportunity in Australia’s shift to networked undersea warfare]()
Industry sees opportunity in Australia’s shift to networked undersea warfare
Australia’s new defence innovation strategy indicates a shift from platform-centric to network-centric undersea warfare, with Ocius and Anduril Industries pointing to fast-growing opportunities for local industry.
-
![Asia-Pacific emerges as the largest export market for US-made USVs]()
Asia-Pacific emerges as the largest export market for US-made USVs
Asian customers have placed one of the largest known international purchases of US-built uncrewed surface vessels, highlighting accelerating regional demand for autonomous maritime capabilities and distributed naval operations.
-
![RTX confirms US Marine Corps and US Navy acquire Hadalus UUV]()
RTX confirms US Marine Corps and US Navy acquire Hadalus UUV
RTX told Shephard that the Hadalus UUV has been procured by the US Marine Corps and the Office of Naval Research for operational experimentation as the company prepares additional demonstrations with the US Navy, NATO and AUKUS partners.
-
![The UK joins the movement towards joint procurement]()
The UK joins the movement towards joint procurement
The UK will spend an estimated US$3.89 billion over the next decade in joint naval programmes, a lot of which will be in cooperation with Norway.
