HNLMS Evertsen returned to home base Den Helder

After a journey of 6.5 months, the Dutch naval vessel HNLMS Evertsen returned to her home base Den Helder on Sunday 5 December. The air defense and command frigate was part of the United Kingdom Carrier Strike Group (CSG), a British-led fleet that sailed as far as Japan.

The UK Carrier Strike Group departed from the United Kingdom in May. The Group was formed around the new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, with helicopters and F-35 fighters on board.

The ship set sail for Japan via the Mediterranean Sea, Indian Ocean and South China Sea. She was accompanied by several frigates, supply ships and a submarine. HNLMS Evertsen was under British command and functioned as an air defense frigate. Along the way, the task force performed exercises with partner countries, supported operations and there was room for diplomatic activities during port visits.

It was the first time in 20 years that a Dutch naval vessel had been active this far east. For the Navy, participation in the Carrier Strike Group provided the opportunity to practice internationally at the highest level and far from home.

During the port visits, ties were strengthened with, among others, Ukraine, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, India and Oman.

In total, HNLMS Evertsen sailed more than 43,000 nautical miles (about 80,000 kilometers). That is equal to 2 times the circumference of the earth. Along the way, Evertsen visited 12 different countries and took part in 15 exercises at sea. In the Black Sea, the ship had to deal with Russian fighter planes that were armed and flew over at low altitudes for hours and carried out feint attacks.

Thales is proud that the Carrier Strike Group relied on its sensors and technology aboard HNLMS Evertsen, HMS Queen Elizabeth and the two Daring-class ships for situational awareness and availability of the correct data during the entire trip, and especially during the exercises and the situation in the Black Sea.