Dutch State Secretary Barbara Visser and her German counterpart Benedikt Zimmer signed the agreement via visio conference. “Both countries will collaborate in the field of research and development and acquisition, among other things. The countries are working on equal operational requirements”. Dutch MoD Barbara Visser added that “It is also the intention that the industries of our countries will benefit optimally from this.” For the record, the ties between the Dutch and German naval defense industry are already strong, with Damen and Thales NL taking a key role for the F126/MKS180 frigate program. F126 is a future large (Length: approximately 155 meters at waterline, Displacement: maximum 9,000 tonnes) surface combatant of the German Navy (Deutsche Marine).