WILLEMSTAD - Approximately 80 soldiers from the heaviest armored brigade of the Royal Netherlands Army are currently training on Curaçao. The exercise 'Caribbean Poacher' will last until April 28 and starts with an acclimatization program to adjust to the temperature and humidity of Curaçao. For this exercise, the focus is on so-called 'foot operations,' and no armored vehicles are involved. The 43rd Mechanized Brigade is not part of the permanently stationed Defense Company in the West of the Caribbean region.
The brigade consists largely of well-trained infantry and technical personnel. The soldiers are trained for intense and prolonged conflicts. They must be able to perform this task anywhere in the world, including in hot regions. Due to the challenging terrain and climatic conditions, Curaçao is suitable for offering the soldiers a unique training program. In addition to honing their skills, the soldiers will push their physical and mental boundaries in a new area for them. All of this is aimed at enabling them to function in unfamiliar conditions and strengthening their sense of unity by gaining confidence in themselves and their colleagues.
Heaviest means
The 43rd Mechanized Brigade is a combat unit designed and prepared for high-intensity combat operations against a modern adversary. It does so with heavy, high-tech armored vehicles, which provide strong protection and impressive firepower. The combination of this firepower, armor, as well as speed and agility, makes this brigade the heaviest asset within the Royal Netherlands Army, to be deployed in the highest spectrum of violence.