Defense rules out the Groningen earthquake area as a possible extension point

There will certainly not be a Defense military base in the Groningen earthquake area. The Secretary of State for Defense Gijs Tuinman wrote this in a letter to the House of Representatives. In searching for places to expand, a number of potential locations were eliminated today.

In any case, Slochteren, Luddewweer and Tjuchem over out. All three towns are in the middle of the Groningen earthquake zone. The choice was made because of the concerns and feelings of residents, Tuinman wrote. “They made me understand more clearly what they had already experienced because of the mining damage and the unfortunate situation of this place.”

The arrival of a weapons storage facility in the area caused the earthquake riot among local residents and politicians. In September, the House of Representatives approved a motion from the SP and GroenLinks-PvdA demanding: ban on construction of military installations in the area.

Defense must extend to protect one’s territory and the territory of relatives. This is related to increased international tension. Since the end of last year, locations in all regions have been inspected. Locations for runways and training areas, among other things, are also being considered.

Today, 33 locations have been eliminated because military operations cannot be included there, for example because they are close to homes or a Natura 2000 area.

There are around twenty other locations that Defense will now investigate further.

For example, Arnhem, Kollumerwaard and Lelystad are still being considered for a new training area where explosives can also be trained. And there will be a large ammunition storage facility in Staphorst, Weerselo or Biddinghuizen.

In addition to bulk storage, Defense also requires Rapidly Deployable Capacity (SIC) Weapons Storage. It is important that the storage is close to the Eemshaven in Groningen, write Omrop Fryslan. From there weapons are transported abroad. There are still two places left for the SIC, both in Friesland: Kollumerwaard or Lemmer.

It is expected that it will be announced early next year where Defense wants to expand definitively.