Defence will deploy a new patrol ship by the end of this quarter. Defence and the combination of Fugro/Damen Shipyards have made agreements about this. The chartered ship enhances the so-called Situational Awareness in the North Sea during patrols. Its presence is also intended to have a deterrent effect.

The deployment of the ship is temporary. The Royal Navy is expected to expand its fleet in 2027 with 2 new multifunctional support vessels. They will take over the patrol task.

The chartered ship also escorts and monitors non-NATO vessels. This frees up the naval ships for other tasks. The deployment of the ship is important due to the increased threat. The MIVD has been warning for several years that Russia is secretly mapping vital infrastructure in the North Sea.

Due to the chosen hiring structure, the ship is legally considered a government vessel performing a government task. Therefore, the so-called ‘state ship’ is allowed to detect, escort, guide, and monitor, but not to use force. The ship does not belong to the naval fleet and will have a civilian crew. If necessary, it will be supplemented with military personnel from the navy. The composition varies per deployment. If desired, it can be scaled up. Then the ‘state ship’ can call upon navy ships or other units of Defence.

By hiring the ship, the navy can deploy its units more efficiently and effectively in preparation for a main task 1 scenario. 
The North Sea Infrastructure Protection Program (PBNI) of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management has made funds available for the ship. It is expected to patrol during the NATO summit in The Hague.