'Dutch Pilots Must Test JSF'

Published: Mar 21, 2006
Source: www.trouw.nl



According to the Dutch newspaper 'De Telegraaf', State Secretary for Defence Van der Knaap has insisted that the United States allows Dutch pilots to participate in the testing of the JSF so that the Dutch requirements can be incorporated into the final version.

In a letter he wrote to the US Congress he also demanded that the Americans must share more technological information and thus backs Britain's and Australia's stance on the matter.

As we reported earlier, many participating countries in the JSF program are considering buying less aircraft, or want to step out of the program entirely. Those moves, and increasing development costs will make the aircraft much more expensive than previously calculated. The United States however believes international demand will be so strong that less procurements by the current partners will not lead to higher costs per airframe.

In November of this year the nine partners are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding for the next phase of the JSF program. Norway will decide if they still want the JSF before April 1st of this year.

--issued in Dutch only--

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