Post by andypspotter on Apr 4, 2018 20:35:41 GMT
The Netherlands has unveiled a new long-term defence plan, which includes additional funding to boost operational readiness.
Presented by recently appointed defence minister Ank Bijleveld-Schouten, the white paper proposes annual spending of €1.5 billion ($1.84 billion) – or about 1.3% of gross domestic product.
The Hague has already made a number of major procurement commitments, including for the Lockheed Martin F-35; it will eventually operate a 37-strong fleet of the conventional take-off and landing A-model variant. Deliveries of the first operational aircraft are due to begin next year, with the final examples to arrive in-country in 2023.
To support the F-35 fleet, the defence ministry intends to procure new tactical and strategic air-to-surface munitions. Acquisition decisions for both are expected in 2019, with deliveries to begin in 2023 and 2024, respectively, the white paper says.
The Netherlands has already joined a multinational effort to buy an eight-strong fleet of Airbus Defence & Space A330 multi-role tanker transports, with access to the new, pooled assets – which will be flown from Eindhoven air base – to replace its aged pair of McDonnell Douglas KDC-10 tankers.
Meanwhile, the Royal Netherlands Air Force's current four Lockheed C-130H tactical transports will remain in service until 2031, according to the document, but will require a major update running from 2022-2025. In addition, the nation's single Gulfstream GV VIP transport will soldier on until 2022, with a replacement to be identified two years earlier.
The Netherlands' rotary-wing fleet is also to be updated, the paper says. In 2020, the first of 14 new Boeing CH-47F Chinooks will be delivered, replacing 11 aged D-model examples. Its six current CH-47Fs will also be raised to the newer standard.
Further updates for the nation's Boeing AH-64D Apache and NH Industries NH90 helicopters are envisaged in the early and mid-2020s, respectively, the white paper says.
The plan also revives a previously shelved initiative to acquire General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9 Reaper unmanned air systems, with an initial delivery planned for 2021.
Finally, the air force's fleet of 13 Pilatus PC-7 basic trainers, in service since 1989, will be replaced by 2026, the white paper says, with the procurement process to start in 2020.
Presented by recently appointed defence minister Ank Bijleveld-Schouten, the white paper proposes annual spending of €1.5 billion ($1.84 billion) – or about 1.3% of gross domestic product.
The Hague has already made a number of major procurement commitments, including for the Lockheed Martin F-35; it will eventually operate a 37-strong fleet of the conventional take-off and landing A-model variant. Deliveries of the first operational aircraft are due to begin next year, with the final examples to arrive in-country in 2023.
To support the F-35 fleet, the defence ministry intends to procure new tactical and strategic air-to-surface munitions. Acquisition decisions for both are expected in 2019, with deliveries to begin in 2023 and 2024, respectively, the white paper says.
The Netherlands has already joined a multinational effort to buy an eight-strong fleet of Airbus Defence & Space A330 multi-role tanker transports, with access to the new, pooled assets – which will be flown from Eindhoven air base – to replace its aged pair of McDonnell Douglas KDC-10 tankers.
Meanwhile, the Royal Netherlands Air Force's current four Lockheed C-130H tactical transports will remain in service until 2031, according to the document, but will require a major update running from 2022-2025. In addition, the nation's single Gulfstream GV VIP transport will soldier on until 2022, with a replacement to be identified two years earlier.
The Netherlands' rotary-wing fleet is also to be updated, the paper says. In 2020, the first of 14 new Boeing CH-47F Chinooks will be delivered, replacing 11 aged D-model examples. Its six current CH-47Fs will also be raised to the newer standard.
Further updates for the nation's Boeing AH-64D Apache and NH Industries NH90 helicopters are envisaged in the early and mid-2020s, respectively, the white paper says.
The plan also revives a previously shelved initiative to acquire General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9 Reaper unmanned air systems, with an initial delivery planned for 2021.
Finally, the air force's fleet of 13 Pilatus PC-7 basic trainers, in service since 1989, will be replaced by 2026, the white paper says, with the procurement process to start in 2020.