Holland Prefers the Joint Strike Fighter

Published: May 12, 2006
Source: www.telegraaf.nl



There is no reason the Dutch government should reevaluate it plans of buying the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter to replace the ageing fleet of F-16's. Other off-the-shelve options, such as the Eurofighter will not be cheaper for Dutch tax payers.

Those are the most important conclusions of the fourth annual report on replacing the F-16, by the Minstry of Defence and Ministry of Economy. The report has been send to the House of Representatives today. At the end of this year, the Dutch Cabinet has to decide if they want to continue to participate in the JSF program.

Earlier this week, the country's largest opposition party, the PVDA Labor party announced it wants to discontinue the participation in the JSF program and cancel all agreements made, when they become part of the Parlaiment, next year.

The MoD thinks replacing the fleet of F-16 fighters will cost around 4.5 million Euro's, and plans to acquire 85 new fighters.

-- original article issued in Dutch only, translation by Air-Attack.com --continue..