HNLMS De Ruyter arrives in Kochi signifying growing India-Netherlands maritime friendship

Kochi: His Netherlands Majesty's Ship (HNLMS) De Ruyter has arrived in Kochi, signifying the growing friendship between India and the Netherlands in maritime security.The ship's visit coincides with the visit of a high-level delegation comprising Maj Gen (Royal Marines) Rob De Wit, deputy commander of Royal Netherlands Navy (DCN) and Marisa Gerards, Ambassador of Kingdom of the Netherlands to India, to Southern Naval Command (SNC), Kochi. De Ruyter is an air defence and command frigate, and these ships are the most advanced units in the Royal Netherlands Navy. The ship mainly specialises in air defence. According to an official statement, on departure from Kochi, HNLMS De Ruyter will undertake a passage exercise (PASSEX) with an Indian naval ship, further strengthening interoperability and operational synergy. "India and the Netherlands may be thousands of kilometres apart, but we sail through the same waters. Indian Ocean connects us in trade, security, and in our responsibility to protect the freedom of navigation on which the whole world depends. Our presence in Kochi is not just a courtesy call. It is a partnership in action, and we are proud to be part of it," said commanding officer of HNLMS De Ruyter, Rodger de Wit. He added that the crew visited heritage sites in Kochi with Dutch influence, including the Dutch Cemetery in Fort Kochi. "The crew even noticed the influence of Dutch architecture in the houses," said commander Rodger de Wit. HNLMS De Ruyter is sailing around the world as part of the mission Pacific Archer. The ship departed Den Helder on April 12. Along the way, HNLMS De Ruyter and the ship's NH90 helicopter operate, practise and train with present and future partners from Europe, NATO, the Indo-Pacific, Asia and the Caribbean, said an official statement from the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The ship's armoury includes vertical launch system (launching missiles), close-in weapon system, 127mm main gun, eight Harpoon missile launchers, four torpedo tubes/launchers, etc. The mission achieves added significance considering the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz.