The four Dutch F-16 fighter jets currently based in Afghanistan will remain there after the Dutch police training mission ends this autumn, sources in The Hague have told Nos television.

The cabinet is due to take a formal decision later on Friday.

The planes are stationed in the northern province of Kunduz to protect Dutch police trainers.

However, they are also used to protect the Netherlands’ Nato partners and are fitted with special equipment to trace roadside bombs. This is work they can continue to do after the training mission ends.