A Bluetooth tracker was hidden in a postcard and mailed to the HNLMS Evertsen. This incident occurred off the coast of Cyprus.
The HNLMS Evertsen is a Dutch air-defense frigate. It was part of a NATO carrier strike group centered on the French carrier Charles de Gaulle.
Officials reported that the tracker allowed the ship to be tracked remotely for about 24 hours. It was discovered within a day of the ship’s arrival during mail sorting.
The device, which cost around €5, was intended for locating items like keys. It went permanently offline once the ship arrived off Cyprus.
Dutch Defence Minister Dilan Yesilgoz informed parliament about the incident. Adjustments have since been made in response to this incident.
The Dutch authorities now ban electronic greeting cards on warships due to this breach. “It is now forbidden to send a greetings card containing batteries to Dutch warships,” a spokesperson stated.
This incident highlights ongoing issues with operational security aboard naval ships. However, officials claim that this would not have posed an operational risk.
Details remain unconfirmed as authorities continue their investigation into how such a device could be sent undetected.
