A look at the Defence news 11 - 17 May

This NATO fleet contributes to an enhanced readiness and increased visibility of the alliance.

Danish F-35s in the Netherlands

For the first time, Danish F-35 fighter aircraft are in the Netherlands. The aircraft arrived at Leeuwarden Air Base last week and are taking part in the six-month international Weapons Instructor Course.

Decoration for life-saving action in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Three Dutch military personnel were awarded the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Red Cross ‘Humanitarian Act of Heroism’ last week. In 2025, the airmobile infanteers saved the life of a truck driver after a serious road accident. At the time, the soldiers were deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of the EU’s multinational force EUFOR Althea.

Netherlands appointed Chair of NATO's Transatlantic Quantum Community

The Netherlands is to chair the Transatlantic Quantum Community within NATO for a one-year period. The United Kingdom transferred this coordinating role in the area of quantum technology to the Netherlands at the annual plenary session of the NATO Transatlantic Quantum Community (TQC), which was held in London on 11 and 12 May.