Double Dutch For NATO Task Force

Royal Netherlands Navy frigate HNLMS Tromp is the new flagship of Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) and a Dutch commander has taken charge of the group.

Royal Netherlands Navy Commodore Arjen S. Warnaar assumed command of SNMG1 last week at a ceremony at Haakonsvern Naval Base, Norway. He is due to be in charge of the maritime group for almost the entirety of 2025.

The incoming commander said he was honoured and excited to take command of SNMG1, commenting: “This is a tremendous opportunity to work alongside dedicated allies and demonstrate the strength, unity, readiness, and determination of NATO forces at sea.”

He added: “We will get started right away. We have an intensive training program ahead of us. With that, we will maximize the readiness of the international staff and task group.”

SNMG1, one of four mission-ready NATO fleets, falls under Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM), headquartered in Northwood, United Kingdom, the central command of all NATO maritime forces. SNMG1 operates mainly in the North Sea, Baltic Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean. 

Cdr. Warnaar took over from Denmark's Thomas Stig Rasmussen, Commander of 2nd Squadron frigates. He had shared command duties with Commodore Bo Overgaard, Deputy Commander of the Royal Danish Navy over the previous 12 months.

Vessels which made up SNMG1 under the Danish command included the Royal Navy’s HMS Iron Duke, the Royal Netherlands Navy’s HNLMS Van Amstel and HNLMS De Ruyter, Belgium’s BNS Louise-Marie, Portugal’s DOM Francisco de Almeida, Germany’s FGS Rhoen, and France’s Commandante Blaison and Auvergne.

During this period SNMG1 participated in several exercises including ASW Playbook Activity Merlin, Exercise Freezing Winds 24, and Exercise Strike Warrior near the British Isles.

HNLMS Tromp is one of the Royal Netherlands Navy’s four De Zeven Provinciën-class air defence and command frigates. The 144-metre vessel is equipped with RIM-66 Standard surface-to-air missiles, Evolved Sea Sparrow missiles, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and Mk 46 Mod 5 torpedoes. It also carries an NH90 maritime combat helicopter from the Defence Helicopter Command.

• You can read more details on the Royal Netherlands Navy website and the MARCOM website