Water knowledge vital to military missions
Published: 13 June 2018
Rijkswaterstaat specifically opted for a defence scenario based on the Rijkswaterstaat partnership with WTEc (Water Risk Training Expertise centre), which includes the water partners Rijkswaterstaat, water management authorities and the Ministry of Defence.
The exercise proceeded directly from a 2015 agreement in which Rijkswaterstaat, the Dutch Union of Water Management Authorities and the Ministry of Defence agreed to exchange more knowledge, people and equipment with each other in the field of flood risk management, both nationally and internationally. This form of collaboration between the water partners, complemented by specialists in specific disciplines, fits in with the approach of the Adaptive Armed Forces. Given the time pressures, close cooperation between civil, military and knowledge partners is important to take informed decisions and deliver smart solutions during peacekeeping missions of this kind.