The Dutch Navy Frigate HNLMS Van Amstel arrived at the Port of Cork on 2nd October for a three-day visit. It berthed in the city with its NH90 helicopter no. N228 on deck.
The Royal Netherlands Navy was the launch customer for the naval version of this helicopter with an order for 20 in 2000. One was lost in an accident in the Caribbean in 2020. This year the Dutch government decided on a Mid-Life Update which includes the Link-22 data link system being introduced by NATO countries.
With concerns about the changing posture of nations such as Russia and China and the risks to geopolitical stability The Netherlands has beefed up its military spending. It has ordered an additional six NH90s naval helicopters, as well as extra Anti-Submarine Warfare frigates, F-35A fighters, and army Leopard tanks.
The Van Amstel arrived in Cork fresh from a patrol with the Standing NATO Maritime Group 1. Its NH90 carried “shark teeth” nose art, denoting its role of a submarine hunter.
