UK and Netherlands confirm future amphibious relationship

• UK and Netherlands are exploring options for a collaborative program to develop a future coastal strike platform.
• Royal Netherlands Navy celebrates 50 years of Joint Amphibious Force in Den Helder.
• UK and Netherlands confirm future cooperation within Joint Amphibious Force.

Signed by British Defense Minister James Cartlidge and Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren in Den Helder, on the 50th anniversary of the Joint Amphibious Force, both countries also agreed to further cooperate on amphibious exercises in the future and workouts.

Future UK Multi Role Support Ships (MRSS) will be equipped with a sea-land strike capability, designed to operate in amphibious task groups known as Littoral Response Groups, assisting highly trained Marines in crises worldwide, fully equipped with their vehicles , boats , planes and weapons.

In today’s letter of intent, the partner countries will work together to understand the respective joint requirements and expected timelines for the UK MRSS and Dutch Landing Platform, to help assess whether a joint procurement program would be mutually beneficial.

Defense Procurement Secretary James Cartlidge said:

To remain a truly global military, we must acquire the right equipment at the right time for our armed forces. The future Multi Role Support Ships will ensure that the Royal Marines can continue to deploy fully equipped overseas in the short term.

We are very proud to be working closely with our Dutch allies in assessing future procurement options, and building on the strong foundation of our 50-year partnership to enhance our collective preparedness.

The Royal Navy’s flagship amphibious ship, HMS Albion, hosted events surrounding the announcement, including the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two nations.

In a revitalization of the original 1973 Memorandum of Understanding, the UK and the Netherlands agreed to strengthen the relationship between the two navies and naval forces and to continue working together in an interoperable force at the forefront of NATO’s maritime response.

First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Ben Key, said:

This year is special to be in Den Helder with our Dutch friends, celebrating both the Marine Days and the signing 50 years ago of an agreement that has enabled our amphibious forces to train, exercise and deploy together .

It has resulted in our closest and most significant amphibious relationship. I am delighted that our nations today signed an agreement to deepen this through further exercises and training, but most importantly to pursue the next generation of coastal attack ships, paving the way for the next 50 years of our cooperation.

British and Dutch armed forces have been working continuously with the UN, NATO and the Joint Expeditionary Force for over 50 years and in the current global climate this strong relationship is more relevant than ever.

Recently, both countries announced a partnership with the US and Denmark to provide high-priority air defense equipment to Ukraine to meet the most urgent air defense needs as Russia continues its illegal invasion.