6 months Ago
The foreign officers will bring specialized skills, including police dogs, and equipment to counter potential drone threats. Major General Wilfred Rietdijk, who is involved in the summit preparations, revealed that the military will also use counter-drone installations to intercept unmanned aircraft, though their specific locations have not been disclosed.
The Netherlands has been working to combat drone threats in recent years, but Woelders noted that additional support is needed for the summit. "There are many critical locations requiring secure airspace, and we currently lack the capacity to protect them entirely," he explained, also mentioning that the Dutch Defense Ministry does not have the resources for this challenge.
To enhance air security, NATO member countries will deploy military planes over the Netherlands during the summit. The Dutch Air Force has F-35 fighter jets and Apache helicopters on standby. Additionally, the airspace above The Hague and surrounding regions will be protected by modern Patriot missile systems, installed in Rotterdam and Valkenburg. These systems will defend against air threats, including smaller ones like drones.
While the Dutch military can ensure national security independently, NATO is supporting the summit with a broader defense ring, including naval vessels. Major General Rietdijk also warned of potential Russian disinformation campaigns during the event, citing a possible fake news story involving a military shooting. This warning was echoed by Pieter-Jaap Aalbersberg, the country's anti-terrorism coordinator.
Amsterdam's city council has assured that sufficient police presence will be in place to maintain safety in the city during the summit. Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema confirmed that the NATO Summit would take place at the World Forum in The Hague, expecting around 8,000 attendees. Halsema clarified that no summit delegations would be staying in Amsterdam, and no side events would take place in the city. The mayor acknowledged that some small-scale demonstrations are expected, with two already registered, and said police are monitoring both registered and unregistered protests.
Halsema also mentioned that the beach in Scheveningen will remain open during the summit, unlike during the 2014 summit. However, the beach in Noordwijk, where U.S. President Donald Trump may stay if he attends, could see closures. Recent reports suggest Trump may decide not to attend the summit unless NATO countries commit to raising their defense contributions to 5% of their GDP.
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