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
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Canadian Coast Guard’s OOSV delivery is “major milestone” in fleet modernisation]()
Canadian Coast Guard’s OOSV delivery is “major milestone” in fleet modernisation
The Polar Class 6 platform is the largest CCG science-dedicated vessel and will operate on the country’s east coast.
-
![How the Anduril-HHI autonomous ship plan fits in with the US Navy’s MASC programme]()
How the Anduril-HHI autonomous ship plan fits in with the US Navy’s MASC programme
The new modular vessel is expected to be developed for both commercial and defence use, with a heavy focus on production speed and mission flexibility.
-
![Indo Pacific 2025: Autonomous systems reigned but can the Australian Defence Force afford it?]()
Indo Pacific 2025: Autonomous systems reigned but can the Australian Defence Force afford it?
Multiple autonomous systems and technologies were on display at this year’s Indo Pacific, but questions remain over how the Australian Department of Defence will balance the books.
-
![How the UK Royal Navy is powering up its hybrid fleet to combat new threats]()
How the UK Royal Navy is powering up its hybrid fleet to combat new threats
Since it announced its move towards a new “hybrid navy” earlier this year, the force has announced a number of new uncrewed technologies in the works.
-
![US and UK to begin Trident II D5 Increment 8 in October 2026]()
US and UK to begin Trident II D5 Increment 8 in October 2026
Trident II D5 Increment 8 will involve improvements to the shipboard navigation subsystem for the US Ohio and Columbia and the UK Dreadnought and Vanguard submarine classes.
