THE HAGUE, April 2 (Xinhua) -- The Dutch government announced on Thursday that the mission of its air-defense and command frigate HNLMS Evertsen in the Middle East will be extended by one month until early May.
In a letter to the Dutch House of Representatives, Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen and Defense Minister Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius said the mandate remains unchanged and strictly defensive.
On March 9, the government confirmed the deployment of the frigate and its crew to the eastern Mediterranean on a defensive mission initially scheduled to last until early April. The deployment aims to contribute to regional stability and security.
The vessel is supporting the defense of the French Carrier Strike Group, which includes the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle.
The Evertsen is equipped to detect aerial threats, such as drones, at an early stage, enabling rapid warnings about potential impact locations. It is also capable of intercepting drones.
