Dutch blow to Joint Strike Fighter project

Published: Oct 30, 2005
Source: www.thebusinessonline.com



JOINT Strike Fighter (JSF), the world’s largest fighter jet programme, is set to be thrown into turmoil, with the Dutch considering halving their order for the plane on the eve of US defence cuts expected to eat heavily into the programme.

The Netherlands is the third-largest financial partner on the $250bn (£140bn, E207bn) nine nations joint strike fighter. It is looking at buying only half the 85 jets it originally wanted due to development delays on the plane and a perceived lack of industrial return.

The Dutch, who are investing $800m in the initial phase of the plane programme, now intend to order the fighter plane in two batches – and the order for the second batch may never materialise, it is feared. However, the Netherlands is committed to the programme, which may provide $1.1bn for the Dutch aviation industry.

America will soon announce the findings of a five-yearly review into defence industrial spending and JSF is one of the programmes expected to sustain heavy cuts.continue..