Communication issues mean Dutch jets rarely see action over Syria

Dutch F-16 fighter jets are rarely in action over Syria because they don’t have the proper communications equipment, the Nederlands Dagblad said on Tuesday.

The Dutch F-16s are equipped with radios rather than satellite communications which means they are reliant on ground troops. However, there are very few soldiers in Syria itself, the paper said.

This means, the US has rarely called on the Dutch jets in its bombing campaign, a fact brought home to MPs during a visit to Jordan last week.

VVD parliamentarian Han ten Broeke told the ND he was ‘somewhat embarrassed’ about the situation and that he and other MPs have asked defence minister Jeanine Hennis for an explanation.

The cabinet decided in January to extend the Dutch mission in the region to cover Syria until July 1, at least, partly at the behest of the US.

The defence ministry said in a statement later on Tuesday that Dutch jets are not limited in their role in Syria but said Dutch air support is not often needed.

Labour MP Michiel Servaes told broadcaster NOS the ministry’s statement is ‘fishy’. ‘We’ve just had a debate about Syria. Why were we not told this?’ he said. ‘And was the ministry aware of the situation?’