The Dutch government has released its defence budget for 2006, allocating fresh procurement funds for additional Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopters and Lockheed Martin C-130s, but outlining plans to close two main airbases by late 2007.
The Royal Netherlands Air Force has acquired a third McDonnell Douglas DC-10 to support its two KDC-10 tanker/transports in conducting international peacekeeping commitments from next year, but is to double its C-130 fleet under a 54 million ($66 million) deal to acquire two surplus US Navy aircraft. The service will withdraw its four Fokker 60 twin-turboprop transports from service.
Increasing demand for transport helicopters and the loss of one CH-47 in an accident in Afghanistan has prompted the Netherlands to seek five Chinooks equipped to support special-forces operations.
A Defence Helicopter Command will be established by late 2007 and the air force’s CH-47s and Eurocopter AS532U2 Cougars will be moved to Gilze-Rijen to operate alongside Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters, moving from Soesterberg. The new command will also oversee operations by search-and-rescue helicopters and the Dutch navy’s 20 NH Industries NH90s. Twenthe airbase will close in 2007 and retire 14 Lockheed Martin F-16s. Operations of the air force’s 90 remaining F-16s will be consolidated at Leeuwarden and Volkel.
ANNO GRAVEMAKER/ARNHEM
Source: Flight International
