Operation Orange Shield: Netherlands deploys naval assets to safeguard NATO summit.

The Netherlands have launched operation Orange Shield to protect next week’s NATO summit, deploying combat sea patrols, helicopters, over 10,000 military and police personnel, bomb squads and air defence systems. The Dutch navy will deploy seven frigates as part of the country’s largest security operation.

About 6,000 delegates and leaders from 32 countries, including US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and deeply unpopular British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, will attend the closed-off event at The Hague’s World Forum. Heads of state and ministers from NATO countries will arrive at Schiphol Airport on Monday and be escorted to The Hague via a secure highway corridor.

“The aim is to observe everything that’s happening in the area, at sea, and in the air“, commander of the Tromp frigate Dennis Oorburg told Reporters. Meanwhile, Dutch counterterrorism chief Pieter-Jaap Aalbersberg told Dutch broadcaster NOS that cybersecurity risks were also being closely monitored.

On Tuesday, Dutch King Willem-Alexander will host a state dinner for NATO leaders. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is set not to attend the summit, has also been invited to the dinner but has not yet confirmed his attendance.

The summit officially begins on Wednesday, with NATO boss Mark Rutte aiming to get consensus from leaders on a five per cent defence spending target, demanded by Trump. But Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has opposed the higher target.

Team Maverick