THE HAGUE, 23/01/08 - The Netherlands is to invest 100 to 250 million euros in new minesweepers for the navy in connection with terrorist threats.

Research institute TNO is currently carrying out a study of what equipment should be purchased. The study is to be completed before the beginning of the second quarter, Defence State Secretary Jack de Vries has said in a letter to parliament.

NATO concluded last year that the Netherlands has too few minesweepers in comparison with other member states. They are necessary for terrorist threats among other things.

"In view of the current availability of sea mines, the use of these by terrorist groups is seriously taken into account, including in European waters," De Vries writes. Up to now, no examples of terrorists using sea mines are known, he added.