GREAT BAY--The Netherlands is preparing to introduce anti-ship missiles into its military capabilities in the Caribbean, marking a significant expansion of Dutch defence operations in the region as the government moves to strengthen security across the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.
Dutch Minister of Defence Dilan Yeşilgöz confirmed the investment in written responses to questions from the Dutch House of Representatives concerning the 2026 Defence Memorandum,Together Forward.
The missiles form part of a broader military expansion that includes a permanently stationed Royal Netherlands Marine Corps unit, improved air surveillance, counter-drone technology and additional reconnaissance capabilities.
The development is particularly significant for St. Maarten, Aruba and Curaçao, which fall within the Kingdom's Caribbean defence arrangements.
While the Caribbean Coast Guard will also receive additional personnel and equipment, the anti-ship missile capability is being introduced through the Dutch armed forces, specifically in connection with the permanent Marine unit, rather than as an operational weapon system for the Coast Guard.
Anti-ship missiles are designed to engage hostile vessels and would provide a military capability distinct from the Coast Guard's traditional responsibilities for maritime law enforcement, surveillance, search and rescue, and combating illegal activities at sea.
The Ministry has not specified when the missiles will become operational, how many will be acquired or where they will be stationed.
Permanent Marine Unit to Strengthen Caribbean Defence
The planned missile capability accompanies a decision to establish a permanently stationed Marine Corps company in Curaçao.
The unit will replace the rotating Royal Netherlands Army company that has operated on the island since 2009.
The Netherlands already maintains Marine Corps personnel in Aruba and St. Maarten, but the new arrangement is intended to strengthen the region's permanent military readiness and its ability to respond to maritime security threats.
The Ministry said the investments are necessary in light of what it describes as a seriously deteriorating international security environment.
Additional equipment being introduced for the Caribbean includes an air-warning radar system and counter-unmanned aerial system technology, intended to improve the detection and response to potential aerial threats.
The Ministry is also allocating additional military flight hours for the DASH-8 reconnaissance aircraft operated by the Caribbean Coast Guard.
These measures are part of a wider effort to improve surveillance, military readiness and protection of the Caribbean territories.
The defence expansion also comes as the Netherlands strengthens cooperation with the United States, United Kingdom, France and Canada through the Framework for Western Hemisphere Allied Collaboration, known as F-WHAC.
According to Yeşilgöz, the arrangement is intended to improve coordination among allied countries operating in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The objective is to make more effective use of existing military capabilities through joint planning, consultations and participation in exercises.
The Minister explained that the framework does not establish a new organization requiring a separate budget or introduce additional operational capacity of its own.
Instead, the participating countries will coordinate activities using existing military arrangements and resources, with consultation and travel expenses covered under current operational budgets.
The cooperation reflects the increasing attention being given to security in the wider Caribbean region and the importance of coordination among countries with military responsibilities and strategic interests there.
Caribbean Coast Guard Also Set for Expansion
Separate from the new military missile capability, the Caribbean Coast Guard is undergoing an expansion that will increase its staffing by almost 80 full-time positions over the coming years.
Yeşilgöz explained that the Coast Guard operates as a cooperative organization involving ministries from the four countries of the Kingdom: the Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao and St. Maarten.
Its priorities, operational deployment and investment decisions are therefore determined jointly by the participating governments.
The Coast Guard is also working to replace and modernize its equipment under its Long-Term Equipment Plan.
Current projects include replacing its larger patrol vessels, renewing smaller vessel capacity and acquiring shore-based detection capabilities for the Windward Islands.
The latter development is relevant to St. Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius, where improved coastal surveillance could strengthen the monitoring of maritime activity.
Additional investment priorities beyond 2028 will be outlined in the Coast Guard's next long-term equipment plan covering 2029 through 2038.
The distinction between the Coast Guard's investments and the military's planned anti-ship missiles is important. Although both contribute to security in the Caribbean, they have different responsibilities and operate under different arrangements.
The Dutch government is also investing in the Caribbean military organization, CARMIL, which includes locally recruited military personnel.
The Ministry said its immediate priority is improving training and professional development so personnel can be more effectively prepared for deployment and military assistance operations.
Further investments are planned in standard equipment, weapons and infrastructure.
From 2029, the organization is expected to undergo a modest personnel expansion intended to strengthen operational capacity and provide additional career opportunities for Caribbean military personnel.
The broader defence program also includes investments in renewing the Dutch naval fleet, which supports military operations and security responsibilities throughout the Kingdom.
