Yesterday morning (Friday 7 June 2024) two Chinese fighters hit the Dutch warship Zr.Ms Tromp in the East China Sea. Also the frigate’s NH90 maritime attack helicopter she was approached by a pair of Chinese fighter jets and a helicopter while on patrol. «This created a potentially dangerous situation. The accident occurred in international airspace», reports an official note from the Dutch navy.
Chinese fighter jets surround Dutch warship in the East China Sea. The Netherlands Navy: «Dangerous operation»
Zr.Ms.
Tromp conducted patrols in the East China Sea in support of a multinational United Nations team monitoring the enforcement of maritime sanctions against North Korea (as defined in United Nations Security Council resolutions).
At this time the ship continues its journey as planned: it will head to Japan and then to Hawaii for naval exercises “Rhyme of the Pacific” (Rimpac 2024).
Rima of the Pacific military exercises
It is the largest international maritime exercise in the world. It is organized mainly by the US Navy with the collaboration of the navies of other participating countries. The Marine Corps and Coast Guard and also the state of Hawaii and that state’s National Guard are also involved in the organization. Other allied military forces from Pacific nations are also involved. The exercise takes place every two years and is held in Honolulu, Hawaii, under the guidance of the US command.
The exercises are seen from a political-military perspective on how the nations of the area prepare to deal with hot issues that could be the cause of a potential armed conflict, such as: Islamic terrorist attacks by groups present in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, or China’s attempted invasion of Taiwan, or again: if the island were to declare independence, an attack on South Korea, Japan or the United States by North Korea
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