Shortages of transport capacity, both in terms of equipment and personnel, are jeopardizing the Netherlands' military missions abroad, said the Trouw daily on Tuesday.

The Defense Department is looking for extra funds to compensate the huge transport equipment losses overseas, as well as extra manpower, from abroad if necessary, said the paper.

One Chinook helicopter was lost after a rough emergency landing in Afghanistan last month. A similar heavy helicopter caught fire in Afghanistan earlier this year during a landing. Total damage was put at 90 million euros (108 million US dollars).

Defense Minister Henk Kamp is looking for the establishment of a permanent emergency fund from the government to allow for expensive losses like these, said the paper.

During a debate on defense plans for next year on Monday, the parliament urged for more money for the transport of troops around the world.

Twenty Chinooks are needed to be able to properly transport the troops, said the paper. The newest loss means that there are only 15 left. There is also a shortage of large transport planes, though the Defense Department will soon purchase two more C130-Hercules, it said.

Equally disturbing, however, is a personnel shortage. Of the some 350 extra air force troops that are needed, less than 100 have been found, said the paper.

The Defense Department is considering recruiting various aviation specialists from the United States and Britain as a temporary solution, said the paper.

Source: Xinhua