Royal Netherlands Navy acquires temporary patrol ship for NATO summit security

The Royal Netherlands Navy has temporarily acquired a civilian patrol ship, DSS Galatea, which was officially transferred to the Dutch Ministry of Defence in Den Helder on June 23.

The vessel will be deployed immediately for security duties on the North Sea during the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague, where it will be used to increase situational awareness.

The ship has been acquired through a rental agreement to fill a capability gap until two new multi-functional support vessels are delivered, which are expected in 2027, the ministry said in a statement.

The Galatea will be operated by a civilian crew from the Dutch company Fugro, which can be supplemented by navy personnel depending on the mission.

According to the ministry, the addition of the Galatea will free up naval warships for other tasks, particularly the defence of NATO territory. The ministry cited warnings from Dutch military intelligence about Russia secretly mapping vital infrastructure in the North Sea as a reason for the increased need for surveillance.

Funding for the vessel was provided by the North Sea infrastructure protection programme of the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.