New Stinger Systems Transferred

>A Dutch Army Fennek armored reconnaissance vehicle fitted with turret-mounted launchers for the Stinger air-defense missile (Dutch MoD photo)The new Stinger Weapon platforms (SWP) have been officially taken into service today. The Stinger air-defense missiles have now been mounted on the Fennek reconnaissance vehicle and the Mercedes-Benz G-Vagen jeep. They form the Dutch Armys very short-range air-defense capability.>> The new systems were transferred on by the Defence Material Organisation to the Deputy Commander of the was transferred to the deputy commander of the defence force, Major-General Marcel van den Broek. Moreover, the handover marks the first phase of the reorganisation of the Armys air-defense command (Luchtdoelartillerie, or CoLua).>> The 36 Stinger launch platforms -- 18 mounted on Fennek vehicles and 18 on Mercedes Benz jeeps will replace the current man-portable and shoulder-fired launchers (MANPADS). Beside the transfer of the new air-defense systems, the 12th Air-Defense Battery was ceremonially disbanded today.>> 12 Air-Defense Battery was mainly responsible for radar systems, whereas the Stinger MANPADS were divided and operated by two batteries, 11 and 13 air-defense batteries.>> The arrival of the new weapon systems, and a redistribution of the air-defense resources among the two batteries, means each battery can now carry out its air-defense missions independently, without needing to depend on another unit to provide radars.>> -ends->>