The Dutch government on Jan. 29 approved extending its mission against ISIS to include airstrikes in Syria, a week after US Defense Secretary Ash Carter met with coalition partners in Paris to discuss the military campaign. Dutch pilots were already flying missions over Iraq. “I am grateful for [Dutch Defense Minister Jeanine] Hennis-Plasschaert’s immediate action following last week’s meeting, and for the continuing commitment from the Dutch people to this fight,” Carter said in a written release. “They have provided a strong example for the 26-nation military coalition, which will gather in Brussels along with representatives from the Iraqi government in two weeks to discuss the progress of the campaign and what additional capabilities are needed from every member nation.” The Dutch government also announced additional funding to support moderate armed Syrian opposition groups, and more money for restoring damaged infrastructure, Carter said.
RTX’s Raytheon unit was able to “significantly” extend the range of the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile using mostly software changes in experimental tests last year, expanding the reach and lethality of the standard U.S. dogfighting weapon, company officials said Sept. 15.
