We are no longer used to it in the Netherlands: large-scale military equipment moves in columnar fashion. But times are changing and the geopolitical threat is greater in 2026 than it has been since the days of the Cold War. The armed forces are growing, there is heavy investment in material and personnel reinforcement of Defense and, as a result, the military presence in public space will also increase. For exercises or for movement of military units across our territory to the eastern flank of NATO territory.
And what if things go wrong?
Military columns are as yet scarce on the Dutch road network, but with some regularity heavy army equipment rolls across our roads. For exercises of Dutch or foreign army units or for relief operations of American troops in Eastern Europe, when the Netherlands provides 'host nation support' by making ports and infrastructure available. Although surrounded by solid security measures and under escort, something can still go wrong during such a transport.
This was evident last September, when on the A16 near Breda, a military vehicle in a column collided with a passenger car, after which several more cars and a truck were involved in the accident. Four people were injured. The consequences were relatively minor because it was a relatively light military vehicle, but the column included heavier armored vehicles. A day later, a column including four heavy armored howitzers on tracks also drove from Oirschot to Stroe, a route of 200 kilometers.
The civilian emergency services in the Netherlands have minimal knowledge about military vehicles with their specific characteristics and risks, such as armor, difficult accessibility through small access hatches and possible ammunition. Moreover, the rescue tools available in the fire department are unsuitable for opening armored vehicles. What is the action perspective for emergency responders when an armored vehicle is upside down or on its side, with an injured driver who needs to get out? And do we actually know what the division of roles is between civilian emergency services and the competent authority on the one hand and Defense on the other?
Practice and theory
Awareness and knowledge promotion through training and practice are not a luxury in a time of increasing military activity. Therefore, the organizers of the multidisciplinary demo scenario during eRIC 2026 decided to elaborate this theme in a spectacular practical case in combination with two workshops/master classes. The scenario will be cut into two parts, which will be handled one after the other on the demonstration strip on the eRIC outdoor area: an incident on military land and an incident on public roads near military land. Location is important because it determines authority and responsibilities. On military terrain, Defense is the competent authority and civilian services provide support; on public roads, Defense has no powers of its own, but has an important role in supporting with knowledge and, if necessary, specialized support. Offering insight into that "game" of roles, powers, duties and agreements, is the goal of this year's multi-demonstration. Who does what and which party is administratively and operationally 'in charge'?
Participating in the demonstration are units from fire department, police, Royal Marechaussee, ambulance service, the Special Operations Response Team of Ambulance Amsterdam (SORT), Defense and Rijkswaterstaat. Immediately following the practical demonstration, two short master classes, intended for operational managers of the various multidisciplinary partners, will take place in tents near the demo site.
In the master class on technology and emergency response, given by Frank Poels of Artem Fire & Rescue Academy, interested parties will learn about lifting an armored vehicle and freeing victims from such a heavy vehicle. In a parallel master class, Ritchie Trompert of upstream Academy will explain the roles and relationships in multi cooperation and the administrative frameworks and relationships that guide the scaling up of the administrative crisis management level.
In the vision of the cooperating demonstration partners, the multi-scenario during the eRIC fair is the starting point for a follow-up route to awareness and knowledge promotion in the Dutch OOV domain. A first acquaintance with the phenomenon of assistance around heavy military vehicles. Knowledge that must be anchored within the entire civil emergency response sector, in all security regions. With the multi-scenario as the driving force, the organizers will investigate after the fair how a targeted knowledge and training program for all civilian chain partners in emergency response and crisis management can be developed. So that emergency services and crisis teams are equipped in terms of knowledge and skills if they are confronted with such a scenario one day.
The multidisciplinary demo will take place on both April 22 and 23, 2026 at 11:30 and 14:30 at Demo Site 1.
