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NewsDutch defence plan funds extra F-35s and armed MQ-9A Reapers
Dutch defence minister Kajsa Ollongren has outlined the Netherlands’ spending priorities for the coming years, including acquiring additional Lockheed Martin F-35As and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9A Reaper unmanned air vehicles.
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First operational F-35A arrives in the Netherlands
The Royal Netherlands Air Force has received the Lockheed Martin F-35A to be based on Dutch soil, with the initial example arriving at Leeuwarden air base on 31 October.
NewsPICTURE: Dutch investigate F-16 damaged by own gunfire
Details have emerged of an incident early this year during which a Lockheed Martin F-16AM from the Royal Netherlands Air Force was damaged by its own gunfire during a training flight.
NewsDutch F-16s return from Middle East as F-35 ambitions grow
Six Royal Netherlands Air Force Lockheed Martin F-16s returned to the service's Leeuwarden and Volkel air bases on 2 January, after completing a year-long deployment to Jordan as part of an international coalition conducting operations against Islamic State militants in the Middle East.
NewsPICTURES: NATO allies hone personnel recovery skills
Helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft from seven NATO and Partnership for Peace countries took part in a major multinational personnel recovery exercise that concluded in Europe earlier this month.
NewsNetherlands targets Apache remanufacturing deal
The Netherlands' defence ministry has outlined its plans to remanufacture the nation's current fleet of 28 Boeing AH-64D Apache attack helicopters, with the goal of operating the updated type until 2050.
NewsNetherlands outlines 10-year defence spending plan
The Netherlands has unveiled a new long-term defence plan, which includes additional funding to boost operational readiness.
NewsEDA pushes for more action on tanker capacity
European Defence Agency (EDA) officials have urged the organisation's partner nations to take further steps to optimise their delivery of air-to-air refuelling (AAR) operations.
NewsDutch to replace Royal transport with 737 BBJ
The Dutch transport minister has announced the purchase of a Boeing 737 business jet to replace an aged Fokker 70 that is currently used to transport members of the nation's Royal family and government officials.
NewsDutch complete Chinook mission in Mali
The Netherlands’ last of three Boeing CH-47D Chinook transport helicopters deployed in support of the UN's MINUSMA mission in Mali will return to Europe in mid-April.
NewsDutch F-35 deployment yields strong results
With the arrival of the Netherlands’ two Lockheed Martin F-35As on 23 May, Dutch defence minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert fulfilled her promise to show the nation the replacement for its ageing Lockheed Martin F-16s.
NewsNetherlands retires last Alouette III helicopters
After a service life spanning 51 years and more than 450,000 flight hours, the Royal Netherlands Air Force will retire its last four Aérospatiale SA316 Alouette III helicopters from use on 1 January, 2016.
NewsDutch to acquire 14 more CH-47F rotorcraft
The Dutch defence ministry is to acquire 14 new Boeing CH-47F transport helicopters, in an expansion of its existing rotorcraft capabilities.
NewsDutch KDC-10 tankers support Polish F-16 training
As part of the increasing European cooperation in air-to-air refuelling (AAR), the Royal Netherlands Air Force has sent one of its two McDonnell Douglas KDC-10 tankers to Powidz air base in Poland to provide AAR training for Polish air force Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Viper crews.
NewsEuropean tanker exercise points towards combined fleet
Tanker aircraft from four nations are nearing the completion of a European Defence Agency-backed exercise which is intended to increase interoperability and cooperation.
NewsDutch parliament approves first F-35 production order
The Dutch parliament has approved an order for the nation’s first production batch of eight Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning IIs, to be delivered in 2019.
NewsFirst Dutch F-35 squadron established
The Royal Netherlands Air Force on 4 November changed the command of its Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II detachment at Eglin AFB, Florida to 323 Sqn. The unit had been officially disbanded on 31 October at Leeuwarden air base, having previously operated the Lockheed F-16.
NewsDutch commit F-16s to anti-IS coalition
On 25 September, the Dutch government announced its decision to deploy eight Lockheed Martin F-16s to the Middle East in support of the international action against Islamic State militants.
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Dutch F-16s fly last mission in Afghanistan
On 30 June, the last two Dutch air force Lockheed Martin F-16AMs completed their final mission for the Air Task Force over Afghanistan.
NewsCorrosion issue halts Dutch NH90 deliveries
Dutch defence minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert has sent a letter to parliament regarding a decision to postpone the acceptance of the nation's final seven NH Industries (NHI) NH90s in the NFH naval variant, until a suitable solution for the corrosion problems found on its earlier examples and financial compensation for additional ...