Dutch defence cutbacks: F16s reduced, GULF 4 + ship sold,etc

[Nielis]

bedankt

[Stefan]

kan ik die miljoenennota ergens online vinden?

Direct is -> hier!

That is the one from last year, which gives me a fine opportunity to point out that English (or what goes through for it ) is required here!

Regards,
Stefan

[Richard from Rotterdam]

So in essence this means that Leeuwarden will become a sleeping airbase like Deelen used to be?

[Richard from Rotterdam]

One more thing, I thought the G4 was already supposed to have made its last operational flight for the RNLAF last month. Obviously it is still in use. People with some knowledge of the bizjet market predict there won't be much interest in the V-11 on the civilian market as it is one of the oldest G4s built.

[Richard from Rotterdam]

One more very interesting development is that by 2020 the RNLAF wants to fully integrate the Dutch airlift capacity (C-130, KDC-10) into a joint NATO fleet under the umbrella of the European Air TRansport Command, as its own capacity is too small to operate independently... No idea how this will work out, but my best guess is that they will be time-shared with the other EATC countries, possibly at a base outside Holland.

[Stefan]

The wrap-up:

• Acquisition of 37 F-35s (delivery from 2019)
  Reduction of number of F-16s from 68 to 61 (in 3 squadron, down from 4)
  Leeuwarden will become a Deployed Operating Base in 2015 (from a Main Operating Base)
  Intention to team-up with the Belgians for QRA duties
  Gulfstream to be sold
  Closure of the AOCS Nieuw Milligen (by 2017)

Leeuwarden as a Deployed Operating Base will have F-16s but all overhead will be concentrated at Volkel, leaving as little functionalities at Leeuwarden as necessary

Source; http://www.defensie.nl/actueel/nieuws/2 ... ensiekrant

[Hurricane]

So in essence this means that Leeuwarden will become a sleeping airbase like Deelen used to be?

Not really, there will be fighters however not as much as you would expect. There will be UAVs and F-16s for some years to come.

One more thing, I thought the G4 was already supposed to have made its last operational flight for the RNLAF last month. Obviously it is still in use. People with some knowledge of the bizjet market predict there won't be much interest in the V-11 on the civilian market as it is one of the oldest G4s built.

Initial planning was exit of 1 August however as some flight to MeS had to be done (and civil charters where way to expensive) this axing was delayed with four months.

One more very interesting development is that by 2020 the RNLAF wants to fully integrate the Dutch airlift capacity (C-130, KDC-10) into a joint NATO fleet under the umbrella of the European Air Transport Command, as its own capacity is too small to operate independently... No idea how this will work out, but my best guess is that they will be time-shared with the other EATC countries, possibly at a base outside Holland.

That is going to be interesting indeed, Belgium already declined previous attempts of joining the 15 Wing and 334/336sq however we (as Dutch can be) remain determined to succeed. On the Air to Air Refuelling programme we already participate in a project to explore future needs and demands with the RAF, GAF, AdlA.
Another part that stuns me is the shares NL-BE QRA tasks that are planned, so we can be called for an Belgian QRA mission and Belgian F-16s can be called for an QRA over the North Sea (does give a better option for sonic booms over land )

[ehusmann]

If we want to combine transport and tanker capacity in Europe (good idea by the way), w'll probably have to replace some of our assets. The KDC-10's aren't really in line with other countries assets (soon to be almost exclusively Airbusses). Nor are the handful of our ancient Hercs very much compatible with the Future A400 and C-17 fleets. Wonder how that is going to pan out. Replace the whole fleet in a few years time?

Erwin

[Hurricane]

If we want to combine transport and tanker capacity in Europe (good idea by the way), w'll probably have to replace some of our assets. The KDC-10's aren't really in line with other countries assets (soon to be almost exclusively Airbusses). Nor are the handful of our ancient Hercs very much compatible with the Future A400 and C-17 fleets. Wonder how that is going to pan out. Replace the whole fleet in a few years time?

Erwin

Given the timeline 2020-2023 this aligns with the disposal period of the KDC-10 so I think our studies will also involve a new type of airplane to keep up with other Air Forces around us. Your right that the A400M will be a strong asset in the future (with Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg and Spain as users) however this is large scale transport, for the sector below the A400M the C-130 remains a strong asset and out Dutch frames can keep up with the demands. I believe it is very possible that in our new replacement we look beyond our borders

Edit: Found the AB412SP fleet as well, they will remain one year longer, now leaving by 01-01-2015!

[ehusmann]

Ah, ok, the KDC-10 phase out timeframe is new to me, but that indeed makes sense.

Erwin

[aviodromefriend]

If we want to combine transport and tanker capacity in Europe (good idea by the way),

That is why we have EATC (based at Eindhoven).

[aviodromefriend]

The agreement reached to pass the budget through BOTH houses has (amongst others) for our hobby the following most important implications:

- A Chinook simulator will be bought
and
- Leeuwarden will remain a MOB

click

[jp 74]

The agreement reached to pass the budget through BOTH houses has (amongst others) for our hobby the following most important implications:

- A Chinook simulator will be bought
and
- Leeuwarden will remain a MOB

click

I still think it is strange to keer 2 mob's open, in the future we will have 37 F35's.
I think for now there will be 2 mob's beyond 2020 will see again.

[K-9]

Reading the article it indeed mentions that changing Leeuwarden from MOB to DOB in anticipation of the F-35 has been reversed.
But that's only for now ....

On the other side, what impact will this have on the Frysian Flag exercises ?

[Maurice]

Remarkable indeed. Two from the 37 are test aircraft, which will not enter operational service, so 35 remain. I expect that some 8 of those will remain in the USA for training purposes, leaving 27 a/c to go the Netherlands. That makes two squadrons. So each base one squadron? In times of budget cuts, this seems like a waste to me.