Dutch MPs criticize Cabinet over deployment of frigate with non-operational gun
Many politicians have criticized the Cabinet after Defense Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz confirmed that the frigate HNLMS Evertsen was deployed to the eastern Mediterranean despite having a non-operational gun, to support NATO allies in the Middle East conflict. She told parliament in a letter that the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of Dutch parliament, was not notified “for security reasons.”
Yeşilgöz was asked by parliament to clarify the situation following AD’s report on the malfunctioning gun. “The gun mentioned in the media is designed to deter enemy ships or hit coastal targets,” the minister explained. “But this capability is not required for this mission, which is focused on air defense.”
Yeşilgöz said that the Tweede Kamer could have been aware that the Evertsen’s gun was not functioning. Her predecessor had noted this on May 21, 2025. Although the gun was installed roughly a year ago, it has not yet been integrated with the ship’s systems.
Yeşilgöz stressed that the air-defense and command frigate is fully prepared and capable of its mission near Cyprus. She added that the vessel has other systems besides the non-functioning gun to deter or engage ships and smaller boats in self-defense.
Jean Debie, chairman of the military union VBM, said that all weapons systems on a deployed naval ship should normally be operational. “In principle, you should be able to assume that all weapons systems are fully operational,” says Debie. According to him, the non-functioning gun could have been anticipated much earlier.
Debie also notes that the frigate’s radar and missile systems should offer adequate defense. “The threat near Cyprus comes from ballistic missiles and drones, not artillery. A ship-mounted gun cannot take those out.”
HNLMS Evertsen’s commander, Marcel Keveling, told NRC that the ship is equipped with all the weapons systems required for its mission. “Following major maintenance, Evertsen returned to service in January. We have a new gun on board that hasn’t been integrated yet,” he explained. “However, that weapon is intended for very different purposes than those needed for this mission.”
Jesse Klaver, leader of the largest opposition party GroenLinks-PvdA, said he feels “simply misled” by Yeşilgöz. Klaver argues that the VVD minister should have communicated this. Yeşilgöz, however, admitted that she only found out about the gun’s status on Thursday.
Klaver stressed, “As parliamentarians, we do not make decisions on military deployments lightly.” Decisions like these are preceded by “extensive internal discussions” within the party.
He is particularly annoyed that the Navy disclosed through the media, just one day after the vote, that something on the ship was not functioning. For Klaver, it is irrelevant that the weapon is not required for the mission.
“This is extremely concerning,” said BBB leader Henk Vermeer. “The gun isn’t just there for show.” He questioned Yeşilgöz about whether Evertsen could defend itself if the Middle East conflict intensifies. The minister confirmed that it could, adding, “Otherwise, we would not have brought it before the Tweede Kamer.”
Geert Wilders, leader of the PVV, noted that Yeşilgöz had engaged in a detailed parliamentary debate on Evertsen’s deployment to support NATO air defense in the eastern Mediterranean. He said it would have been “a simple matter” to disclose that the gun on board was not operational.
Chris Stoffer, leader of the SGP, emphasized that deploying troops to a conflict area is “a very weighty matter” for parliament. “You should know everything you can in such cases,” he added.
Yeşilgöz insists that the information was not pertinent to the frigate’s air-defense and command mission. She did, however, pledge to keep parliament better informed in the future, even if it requires sharing details confidentially.
