Deputy Commander of the Royal Netherlands Navy visits Southern Naval Command
The Deputy Commander of the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNN), Major General FV Van Sprang made a visit to the Southern Naval Command yesterday (11 October 2017). He was warmly received by the Commander Southern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenna. Major General Sprang was accompanied by several senior officers of the Royal Netherlands Navy during the visit.
The Royal Netherlands Navy delegation held a cordial discussion at the Southern Naval Command Headquarters pertinent to the matters of OBST facilities provided by the Sri Lanka Navy. The Director General Operations of the Sri Lanka Navy, Rear Admiral Piyal De Silva also took part in the discussions.
The RNN delegation also inspected the services available at the Galle OBST operations centre, which will provide facilities to the Netherlands Merchant Vessel Protection Detachments (VPDs) operating in the Indian Ocean. The Netherlands VPDs are expected to embark/disembark Dutch marines as well as store small arms at the OBST facility in Galle as per the MoU signed between the Netherlands and the Sri Lankan Government on 16th May 2017.