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F-35 Joint Strike Fighter

The Royal Netherlands Air Force will receive F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variants to arm their fleet with advanced technology for future success of the airman. The aircraft is highly interoperable and functions as the center for sharing information across military forces. With the ability to integrate into existing systems, the Netherlands will continue to be a valued partner and contributor to global security.

The Netherlands defense minister, Ank Bijleveld-Schouten, said on 14 December 2018 that the government is looking to buy more F-35As. The Netherlands had already signed for 37 to equip two squadrons and is seeking 15 more to establish a third unit. Initial planning anticipated a total buy of 85 aircraft.

On June 17, 2002, the Netherlands also committed itself to the JSF's system development and demonstration (SDD) phase by exchanging with the Department of Defense memorandum of understanding (MOU) documents. These MOU documents were signed on June 5, 2002, on behalf of the Dutch Cabinet at Soesterberg Airbase (NL) with the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics countersigning the MOU documents in Washington, D.C. on June 10, 2002. As a result, the Netherlands will invest $800 million [€ 848 million] in the SDD effort. The Netherlands has been part of the JSF program since 1997. The Netherlands became the fourth country to join as a JSF SDD phase partner, and the first 'Level 2' partner. The Dutch commitment spans ten years. For the previous two and a half years, the Netherlands had conducted a rigorous technical and financial analysis of potential candidates to replace its F-16s. In both assessments, the JSF ranked first. The Netherlands selected the U.S. plane as the best candidate to replace 85 older aircraft in December 2008.

The Netherlands initially planned to buy a total of 85 F-35 planes over the period 2019 to 2027 with a budget of 4.5 billion euros. By April 2012 it appeared the Netherlands would buy fewer than the 85 F-35 fighter jets it had planned to acquire, given that costs had risen and the country needed to replace fewer F-16 fighters than originally planned [the force had gone from 90 F-16s to 68]. The F-16 phase-out will continue until at least 2023, at which point the oldest F-16s will be about 40 years old. Asked on Dutch television program Buitenhof if the Netherlands still planned to buy 85 F-35 planes despite higher costs, Dutch Defence Minister Hans Hillen said: "The next cabinet will decide. It will certainly be fewer." By "next cabinet" is understood the government formed after the upcoming elections, anticipated in 2015.

The estimated capital investment as of 31 December 2011 is EUR 7.5 billion if the Netherlands were to buy a total of 85 aircraft. This is similar to the estimate of one year before (EUR 7.6 billion). As of 2011, the Defence organisation is using a lower dollar exchange rate. This is partly offset by increased costs resulting from the decision by the United States and a number of other countries, including the Netherlands, to move back the order of a total of 242 aircraft to later years. For the time being, a sum of EUR 4.5 billion had been earmarked for the successor to the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s F-16. A subsequent government will decide on the successor to the F-16, the number of aircraft to be purchased and the budget needed for that.

The first flight for the U.K.’s first F-35, known as BK-1, took place on April 13, 2012. BK-1 is also the first international F-35. The first Dutch F-35 has completed flight checks, awaiting government acceptance, and the second rolled out of Lockheed Martin's production facility in Fort Worth, Texas, on March 2, 2013. The RNAF will be the second international partner to receive F-35s, and the first to receive the F-35A conventional takeoff and landing variant. The United Kingdom received two F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing aircraft in 2012.

Dutch industries are participating in critical technology development and strategic structural design ventures integral to the F-35 program, along with high-volume production which includes composites, bonded assemblies, and aircraft wiring. This high-technology work leverages the Netherlands’ past performance experience and expertise on the F-16 program to maintain high-quality program execution.

Every F-35 contains components manufactured by Dutch companies. To date, 27 Dutch companies have been awarded work, and 10 have active contracts for a total contract value of US$750 million. With the introduction of advanced technologies, Dutch industries are strategically positioned to participate in the production of more than 3,000 F-35 aircraft over the life of the program.

The second Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II for the Netherlands rolled out of the F-35 production facility on 02 March 2013. This is the latest step in the production process leading to its eventual assignment to Eglin AFB, Fla., later this summer. The Netherlands is planning to use this conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) jet, known as AN-2, for training and operational tests for pilots and maintainers. AN-2 will undergo functional fuel system checks before being transported to the flight line for ground and flight tests later this year.

In April 2013 it was announced that the 2 F-35 test aircraft which the Netherlands bought for the operational test phase are to be put in storage temporarily. The government has decided that the aircraft will remain there until a decision has been made on the replacement of the F-16, within the context of the views on the future of the armed forces. The United States and the United Kingdom recently started flight training for the operational test phase. No Dutch personnel are involved in that training. While the aircraft are in storage, US pilots will carry out a limited number of flights with them, to ensure that they remain airworthy. The Netherlands has purchased 2 test aircraft for participation in the operational test phase of the F 35. The first aircraft has been completed and the delivery of the second is scheduled for this summer. The operational test phase is scheduled to begin in 2015.

The project Replacement of F-16 is performed by the Ministry of Defence and are also the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation involved. Knowledge institutes support Defence in this project and also the Dutch defense industry plays a role. The Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation (ELI) is the Commissariat Military Production (CMP) involved in the project. This facilitates a competitive supervisory involvement of the Dutch manufacturing and services in the development, production and procurement of equipment and services to the (inter) national defense market. CMP strives through its activities the national expenditure to support the domestic economy. In the field of defense, the fullest advantage It also supports the Dutch industry and institutes in winning orders in the F-35 program.

In 2001, six aircraft were eligible for the follow-up of the Dutch F-16 MLU. It was the F4 Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 3, the F-35, the Advanced F-16, the Saab Gripen C / D and the F/A-18 E / F Super Hornet.

As a result of this evaluation the Saab Gripen C / D and F-18 E / F were dropped based on military operational capabilities. In both the Gripen C / D as the F-18 E / F there were limitations in the range, the self and of the sensors and the F-18 E / F were costly infrastructural consequences by the size of the device.

Of the remaining four aircraft, the F-35 emerged as the best aircraft at the best price forward. Based on these results, it was decided to participate in the System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase of the F-35. Share in 2002 A final choice for the F-35 was not made at that time.

Since the evaluation in 2001 following the NLR commissioned by Defence regularly reviews developments in the fallen candidates based on open sources. The coalition agreement of the Government Balkenende (2007) at the time stipulated that candidates from 2001 were to be compared. Again in 2008 Although the F-18 E / F and the Saab Gripen at the candidates evaluation in 2001 had fallen, been requested to be included in the candidate list. The devices again during the committee meeting of May 27, 2008.

The Saab Gripen C / D after 2002 further developed in a (Technology) Demonstrator Prototype and tried to improve. Deficiencies previously identified by the Defence Saab in estimated time to arrive on the market around 2015 with a new version of the Gripen Saab Gripen Next Generation (NG). The planned technological changes were such that there was sufficient reason in 2008 to take the second candidate evaluation.

On 3 July 2008, a General Meeting (AO) held on the F-18 E / F. In response to this AO are three motions filed all of which were rejected. Specifically, this meant that the F-18 E / F from that moment no official candidate for successor to the F-16. A number of reasons why the F-18 E / F was not seen as a suitable successor to the F-16: No significant developments since the assessment in 2001; 2 motors (= higher maintenance); The unit is too large for the current shelters; and Obsolete basic concept (design early 80s).

After the AO of May 27, 2008, there were five candidates in remarks came for the successor to the F-16. The manufacturers of these candidates have received a questionnaire in May 2008, which was asked to. The latest situation for the relevant devices in map The questionnaire focused on the parts price, quality and delivery, as stated in the coalition agreement of when.

Dassault (Rafale) and EADS (Eurofighter) decided to grant the required candidate comparison not cooperate and withdrew from the competition. End of July 2008 were therefore the F-35, the Saab Gripen NG and the Advanced F-16 remaining as potential candidates for the succession of the Dutch F-16.

The core of the comparison on quality candidates 2008 evaluation consisted of reviewing the operational concept for six generic multi-role missions head.

1. Offensive Counter Air / Sweep - This is the fight of air superiority to attack enemy air bases and attack. Above the territory of the opposing enemy aircraft This type of surgery is mainly performed in the early stages of a conflict. Such initial entry operation was raised, for example in air operations in the Balkans in 1999. In 2008, this type of operation was conducted by the Russian Air Force, addressed to the conflict in Georgia.
2. Defensive Counter Air / Cruise Missile Defence - This includes fighting air superiority to attack (air defense), by incoming enemy aircraft and defense against incoming missiles. Ensuring the sovereignty of national airspace and the protection of the area of ??operations are also included here.
3. Suppression / Destruction of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD / DEAD) - This involves suppression / destruction of enemy air defense systems and associated command and fire control systems, including radars, on the ground. The next few years will continue to increase the threat by the proliferation of advanced air defense systems in combination with a substantially increased range. SEAD / DEAD was a few years ago only associated with initial entry operations, where the first enemy air had to be eliminated. Gradually it became clear that this type of operation at every stage of a conflict is conceivable, since a highly mobile air defense systems and radars can be easily hidden and therefore less vulnerable in the early stages of a conflict. SEAD / DEAD is a recognized shortage of capacity in both NATO and EU.
4. ir Interdiction - This is engaging enemy logistical supply lines and communication lines deep in enemy territory. These are long-distance missions, so a wide range and good self-protection are essential.
5. Close Air Support - This is providing direct support to ground troops in contact with enemy units. This is the core of the daily deployment of combat aircraft in Afghanistan. In addition to extensive opportunities for taking multiple weapon types and the effective use of them is great precision in turning off crucial goals, also to avoid. Collateral damage Effective deployment also means that weapons should be used. Both day and night and in all weather conditions There is a large deficit in both NATO and EU capabilities related to the use of precision weapons.
6. Non-Traditional Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (NTISR) - This includes intelligence gathering, guarding an area and conducting reconnaissance missions by making full use of the sensor package of the aircraft. Aerial aerial The sharing of information and intelligence with troops on the ground (Network Enabled Capabilities) is part of this. There is a significant lack of such capabilities in NATO and EU. Non-Traditional refers to a situation where continuous information about the area of ??operation is changed during normal missions after which it can be made available to private land and air units directly. This requires that they can have a large storage and processing of data on board the aircraft.

On December 18, 2008, the results of the second assessment of candidates presented to the House. The three candidates (Advanced F-16, Saab Gripen and F-35) were compared in the items price, quality and delivery. The F-35 scored the best candidates in this comparison. Stated conclusion: "The F-35 is the best multi-role fighter, and can no longer successfully perform around 2015 all six main missions. Also, the F-35 the greatest operational availability. In addition, the investment costs for the F-35 and the lowest total life expected. "

The F-35 is a supersonic, multi-role, single-engine fighter. It's the only candidate a fifth generation fighter, the other candidates are fourth-generation fighter aircraft. The distinction between fourth and fifth generation is mainly in the comprehensive sensor package and the stealth characteristics of the F-35. The F-35 is developed in 3 variants. Netherlands are interested in the F-35A, or the CTOL version.

In December 2018, The Hague announced it would procure another 15-jet squadron for the Royal Netherlands Air Force in the coming year on top of the 37 F-35As already purchased. "Extra investment in defense is a necessity because our surrounding safety zone has become a more unstable place. There are more threats to contend with, and threats have become more complex," the Dutch Defense Ministry said.

The Netherlands plans to buy nine more F-35 stealth aircraft, laying the foundations for a third squadron of the stealthy jets. On 08 October 2019, the Dutch government announced it would be buying nine of the jets in a €1 billion ($1.09 billion) deal with manufacturer Lockheed Martin, Defense News reported. That's $121.1 million per aircraft, a hefty step toward the NATO ally spending 2% of its GDP on defense, as demanded of alliance members by US President Donald Trump.