The defence ministry says its personnel shortage has risen to 7,000 – up 1,000 from last year, the AD reported on Friday.

Junior minister Jack de Vries told parliament yesterday that the shortage could pose a danger to the Dutch missions in Chad and the Afghan province of Uruzgan.
The minister said young people earn more in the private sector, particularly if they have a technical background. The army hopes to solve the problem by recruiting more older people, the AD reported.