JSF under attack from D66 in coaliton talks

Posted on: Jul. 4th, 2006 || Source: expatica.com | E-mail Article | Print Article

JSF under attack from D66 in coaliton talks

AMSTERDAM -- Former coalition party D66 announced on Monday it will oppose any attempt by the new government to chose the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) to replace the Dutch Air force's ageing F-16s.

Talks are underway in The Hague that are likely to create Balkenende III, a minority government between the Christian Democrats (CDA) and the Liberals (VVD).

D66 withdrew support from Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende's second coalition government last week in a dispute over Immigration Minister Rita Verdonk (VVD).

Lousewies van der Laan, out-going leader of D66's parliamentary party, said her party now opposed the introduction of the JSF. Now named the F-35, the plane is being built by several countries in a US-led project.
Parts of the plane are built by Dutch aerospace company Stork.

The Labour Party (PvdA) is also against buying the F-35. Other options include the Typhoon Eurofighter.

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