Dutch military training and security exercises

The Dutch military has conducted various training exercises focused on operational readiness and host nation support.

In the Dutch Caribbean, the Royal Netherlands Army and Marine Corps performed live-fire training in Curaçao, focusing on conventional combat and anti-tank systems to prepare for NATO deployments in Lithuania. Concurrently, the ‘Caribbean Engineer’ exercise involved 184 soldiers performing infrastructure projects and maintenance in Curaçao and Aruba.

In the Netherlands, approximately 80 soldiers from the 30 Infantry Battalion of the National Reserve conducted a security drill at the Moerdijk industrial port. This exercise simulated securing a port against external interference during the transit of allied military equipment, emphasizing coordination between the military, local authorities, and emergency services.

Expanding these domestic security efforts, approximately 125 reservists from the 20th Infantry Battalion Guard Protect National Reserve (20 IBB KNR) are scheduled to conduct training in Leiderdorp and parts of Kaag en Braassem on October 30 and 31. The drills will focus on patrolling, reconnaissance, and protecting critical buildings and facilities. Local authorities stated the exercises are a response to the ‘changing security situation in Europe’ and aim to help municipalities prepare for potential threats such as sabotage or disruption of critical infrastructure. While security operations will be practiced 24 hours a day, nighttime activities will be limited to minimize resident disturbance, and no helicopters or heavy military vehicles will be utilized.