Dutch Ministry to set up new JISTARC Unit

The Netherlands Ministry of Defence is to set up a new unit, the Intelligence Surveillance Target Acquisition Reconnaisance Commando (JISTARC), by consolidating the nation's intelligence capacity of various parts of the armed forces.

The new single unit includes the Dutch 103 ISTAR battalion of the army, the Tactical Air Reconnaissance Centre of the air force, and the intelligence units of the navy and the military police.

Netherlands Info Services has reported that the unit will gather, analyse and distribute intelligence to the commander and other units during military operations.

The new unit will perform tasks including signals intelligence, mapping of terrain features and relationships between ethnic groups as well as supporting civil authorities.

According to the ministry, JISTARC will ensure the tasks are carried out efficiently and effectively.