BRUSSELS, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- Dutch Deputy Defense Minister Jack de Vries denied on Friday that Dutch troops in the southern Afghan province of Uruzgan are at risk due to a shortage of equipment.

    The commanders of two Dutch platoons in Uruzgan have written to the union for defense personnel VBM/NOV claiming that Dutch soldiers' lives are put in danger due to inadequate equipment, such as armored vehicles and ambulances. They also complained about poor maintenance of equipment, Radio Netherlands reported.

    The Dutch deputy minister said that soldiers are never deployed without the right equipment. He acknowledged that problems exist, but he stressed that buying new equipment and spare parts takes time.

    It is not the first time that members of the Dutch Task Force in Uruzgan have complained about a lack of equipment. According to VBM/NOV Chairman Jean Debie, measures are urgently needed to tackle the problem.

    The Netherlands has about 1,700 troops stationed in Uruzgan as part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force. The mission started in August 2006 and expires at the end of 2010.