Aircraft

Dutch to consider Gripen NG for F-16 replacement

By Anno Gravemaker

The Netherlands has expanded its search for a new fighter to also include the Saab Gripen NG (Next Generation), but has eliminated the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor from its search for a Lockheed F-16 replacement, says undersecretary of defence Jack de Vries.

As part of an agreement by the Dutch parliament to sign the memorandum of understanding for investing in the initial operational test and evaluation phase of Lockheed's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter programme, the defence ministry agreed to conduct a full comparison of all possible alternatives before coming to a final decision.

Although fellow JSF partner nation Denmark is considering adding the Super Hornet to its list of fighter candidates, the Netherlands has previously eliminated the type from its search, due to the size and weight of the twin-engined aircraft.

The F-22 has also been ruled out, due to its high acquisition and operating costs, and its failure to meet Royal Netherlands Air Force requirements for a multirole type.

Despite having seen its baseline Gripen eliminated from the Dutch contest in 2001 due to concerns over its range, weapons, interoperability and sensor fit, Saab's proposed Gripen NG (Gripen Demo technology demonstrator pictured below) has triggered fresh interest from the nation, plus Denmark and Norway.

© Gripen International

An extensive questionnaire has already been sent to Gripen International to assess whether the Gripen NG could meet minimum Dutch requirements.

The Dutch defence ministry will inform parliament by year-end on the results of its evaluation of the JSF and the Gripen NG, plus Dassault's Rafale, Eurofighter's Typhoon and Lockheed's Advanced F-16.

Assisted by the Netherlands' National Aerospace Laboratory and TNO research body, the evaluation will include factors such as price, quality and delivery schedule.

According to current production plans for the JSF, the Netherlands should acquire two test aircraft, followed by 85 conventional take-off and landing F-35As to be delivered between 2014 and 2021.

Additional reporting by Craig Hoyle in London