Lack of satcom means Dutch F-16s seldom deployed over Syria

Dutch lawmakers found out during a recent trip to Jordan that RNLAF F-16s deployed to fight ISIL seldom fly over Syria as they are not equipped with satellite communication equipment.

By RAF-YYC from Calgary, Canada (RNLAFUploaded by russavia) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Instead they need to reply on ground controllers to find targets and since no NATO ground troops are deployed in Syria, Dutch F-16s are not able to be fully utilized.