BOGOTA - For the first time, Dutch navy officers are conducting joint training exercises with their Colombian counterparts on Colombian soil, the Dutch Ministry of Defense in the Caribbean announced this afternoon. The three-week military exercise is taking place in the region of Turbo and aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation and promote the exchange of operational knowledge and experience. 

The training includes a range of scenarios such as riverine operations, amphibious assaults, and coastal missions. According to Defense officials, these are “crucial skills within the navy domain.” By training together in Colombia’s challenging environments, both forces aim to improve their operational readiness under diverse conditions. 

In addition to the navy units, the support ship Zr.Ms. Pelikaan is also participating. The vessel is involved in maritime drills at sea and is responsible for transporting equipment and personnel to support the operation.