Dutch Broadcaster Tracks Navy Frigate Using Bluetooth Device via Military Mail

Incident Details

A Dutch regional broadcaster, Omroep Gelderland, tracked the Royal Netherlands Navy air-defense frigate Evertsen in real time using a Bluetooth tracker sent via military mail.

The frigate is part of the carrier strike group around France’s Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, deployed in the Mediterranean Sea. The tracker was placed in a postcard and mailed following online instructions from the Dutch Ministry of Defence. The broadcaster monitored the tracker's route from the naval base in Den Helder to Eindhoven Airport, then to the port of Heraklion in Crete.

Webcam images confirmed the Evertsen moored there. The frigate departed on March 27, 2026, and the broadcaster tracked it sailing west along Crete's coast before heading eastward.

Discovery and Response

The tracker went offline after 24 hours near Cyprus, and it was discovered during mail sorting on board the frigate.

The Dutch Ministry of Defence stated that while the vessel could be tracked at sea, this did not pose an operational risk. In response, the ministry adjusted policies, including prohibiting greeting cards with batteries from being sent to the Evertsen, and plans to review military mail guidelines further. A ministry spokesperson told Omroep Gelderland about these changes.

Defence Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz informed parliament about the incident on April 16, 2026.

Expert Commentary

“You do want to be able to intercept such a tracker,”

Rowin Jansen stated to Omroep Gelderland that commercial satellite images are delayed for security reasons and emphasized the risks of allowing real-time tracking, such as potential missile threats. Retired Lt. Mart de Kruif stated, as cited by the broadcaster, that in large-scale conflicts, individuals should contribute to safety beyond existing rules and noted a need to change naive mindsets.

Related Context

This incident follows a March 2026 report by Le Monde, which located a French officer running on the Charles de Gaulle via data from a connected watch on the Strava app.

The Dutch Ministry of Defence scans packages by X-ray for prohibited items, but envelopes may not always be scanned, as noted by Omroep Gelderland based on online videos. The broadcaster's action demonstrated a potential vulnerability in military mail procedures.