Royal Netherlands Air Force News
2018
20 February 2018 | Flight Global
US clears RNLAF for $1.19b Apache upgrade deal
The Royal Netherlands Air Force is cleared by the US State Department to buy 28 remanufactured Boeing AH-64E helicopters worth a total of $1.19 billion, the US government announced on 20 February.
2017
4 January 2017 | Defense-Aerospace
Dutch F-16s Land In Lithuania for Air Police Mission
On January 2 four F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets of the Royal Netherlands Air Force landed at the Lithuanian Air Forces Base in Šiauliai to serve as next rotation of the NATO Baltic Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states. The Baltic Air Policing Mission will pass from the French Air Force ...
2016
28 July 2016 | MILAVIA News
Netherlands and Luxembourg buy tanker aircraft together
The Netherlands is ready to purchase 2 Airbus tanker/transport aircraft with Luxembourg. The aircraft will be NATO property and will be stationed at Eindhoven Air Base for pooling and sharing. Belgium, Germany, Norway and Poland intend to join the agreement at a later date.
24 May 2016 | DefenseNews.com
Dutch F-35s Land in the Netherlands
The Netherlands' first two F-35s arrive at Leeuwarden Air Base, marking fifth-generation jet's first eastbound transatlantic crossing.
23 May 2016 | Flight Global
PICTURES: Two Dutch F-35s arrive at Leeuwarden Air Base
Two Lockheed Martin F-35s belonging to the Royal Netherlands Air Force have departed North America on the first eastbound transatlantic crossing of the fifth-generation fighter type, touching down at Leeuwarden Air Base in the Netherlands at approximately 8:45pm local time.
2015
9 September 2015 | IHS Jane's
Netherlands to buy 14 CH-47F Chinook helicopters
The Netherlands is to order 14 Boeing CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters from the United States, Dutch defence minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert has told the House of Representatives. The Netherlands currently operates 17 Chinooks, 11 of the old CH-47D model and six copies of the CH-47F modified for the requirements of the Dutch military. The 14 new CH-47F helicopters will replace these 11 older CH-47Ds and will see the total Dutch Chinook fleet rise from 17 to 20.
24 March 2015 | IHS Jane's
US approves USD1.05 billion Chinook sale to the Netherlands
The US government has approved the sale of 17 Boeing CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift transport helicopters to the Netherlands for USD1.05 billion. The proposed sale, which was approved by the State Department on 19 March and announced by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on 23 March,
3 March 2015 | Flight Global
Dutch 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.
8 February 2015 | IHS Jane's
US approves Reaper sale to the Netherlands
The US State Department has cleared the sale of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) MQ-9 Reaper medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to the Netherlands, it was announced on 6 February. The government of the Netherlands has requested a possible sale of
2014
19 December 2014 | Flight Global
NATO trio could pool A330 tanker fleet
A consortium of NATO nations could acquire a four-strong fleet of Airbus A330 multi-role tanker/transports, the European Defence Agency has announced. Announcing the development on 19 December, the multinational agency said: “The Netherlands, Poland and Norway have decided to prepare negotiations with Airbus Defence & Space for a fleet of A330 MRTT multirole transport and air-to-air refuelling aircraft.”
16 December 2014 | Flight Global
Dutch NH90 deliveries to resume
Deliveries to the Dutch armed forces of its remaining seven NH Industries (NHI) NH90 maritime helicopters – halted on the back of corrosion issues - are set to resume after the two sides hammered out a compromise agreement.
16 December 2014 | Flight Global
Dutch F-35 orders ready to take off
The Netherlands’ defence ministry has announced plans to order a first batch of eight operational Lockheed Martin F-35s, with the type to be delivered from 2019.
11 November 2014 | Flight Global
First 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.
2 July 2014 | Flight Global
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.
23 April 2014 | Flight Global
Dutch air force scraps DC-10 transport
The Royal Netherlands Air Force-owned McDonnell Douglas DC-10 transport/freighter has been flown to the UK for scrapping, less than three years after entering use with the service.
2013
21 November 2013 | IHS Jane's
Netherlands selects MQ-9 Reaper
The Netherlands is to purchase four General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and related ground stations, the Dutch Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on 21 November. The first Reaper should be fully operational in 2016, the last the following year.
8 November 2013 | DefenseNews.com
Dutch Parliament Clears F-35 Purchase
The Dutch Parliament has ratified the government's choice of the F-35 as the Netherlands next-generation fighter, putting an end to a 15-year debate.
6 November 2013 | Flight Global
Netherlands commits four Apaches to Mali mission
The Netherlands is to commit four Boeing AH-64D Apache attack helicopters, unmanned air vehicles and 90 commandos to the UN mission in Mali until the end of 2015.
6 November 2013 | Flight Global
Dutch F-16 pilot strafes range control tower
The Royal Netherlands Air Force has launched an investigation after a Lockheed Martin F-16AM pilot accidentally strafed the control tower at the Vliehors range on the island of Vlieland during a training flight on 4 November.
17 September 2013 | Flight Global
Netherlands cuts F-35 fleet plan to 37 fighters
The Netherlands’ government has confirmed the selection of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter to replace the nation’s aged F-16s, but its purchase...
17 September 2013 | MILAVIA News
Selection of F-35 for the Netherlands Made Official
The strategic paper ‘In the interest of the Netherlands’ presented by the Dutch Minister of Defense, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, on 17 September 2013 officially confirms the selection of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II (Joint Strike Fighter) to replace the F-16 fleet of the Royal Netherlands Air Force.
8 March 2013 | Flight Global
PICTURES: Second RNLAF F-35 rolled out
Lockheed Martin has rolled out the second F-35A Joint Strike Fighter which will eventually be used by the Royal Netherlands Air Force for pilot and maintainer...
7 March 2013 | Lockheed Martin
Second F-35 For The Netherlands Rolls Out Of F-35 Production Facility
FORT WORTH, Texas, March 7, 2013 – The second Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II for the Netherlands rolled out of the F-35 production facility on March 2. 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.
2012
7 December 2012 | DefenseNews.com
Dutch To Send Patriot Missiles to Turkey-Syria Border
The Dutch cabinet on Dec. 7 gave the go-ahead to sending NATO Patriot missiles to Turkey to defend its border against Syria, national news agency ANP quoted Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans as saying.
30 October 2012 | Defense-Aerospace
New Dutch Government Changes Fighter Plans
The new Dutch government coalition agreed Oct. 29 that it will delay a decision on the procurement of a new combat aircraft until 2014, and that separately it will freeze defense spending at present levels until 2017. ...
12 October 2012 | MILAVIA News
First two CH-47F Chinook helicopters for the Netherlands
On October 8, 2012, the first two new Boeing CH-47F Chinook transport helicopters were handed over to the Netherlands' Defence Helicopter Command (DHC) at Gilze-Rijen Air Base. Six CH-47F were ordered in February 2007 following the loss of two CH-47D aircraft in Afghanistan operations and the decision to expand the Chinook fleet.
16 August 2012 | Flight Global
First Dutch F-35 flies around Fort Worth
The first Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter built for the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) has been spotted flying near the company's plant in...
5 July 2012 | AviationWeek
Dutch Plans To Buy F-35 Fighter Jets In Doubt
The Netherlands should scrap plans to buy F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets because it cannot afford the project’s ballooning costs as the country attempts to cut spending, a majority of parliament said on Thursday.
21 May 2012 | Shephard
Netherlands wants to buy 11 new-build CH-47F Chinooks
The Netherlands Ministry of Defence wants to change its Chinook procurement plans and buy 11 new build 'Foxtrot' models. In a letter to the Netherlands Senate, Defence Minister Hans Hillen is urging that the government to buy new build CH-47Fs to replace its increasingly elderly fleet of CH-47Ds rather than upgrade those aircraft to the 'Foxtrot' model standard. Currently the Netherlands has six CH-47Fs on order, the first of which flew in January 2011. These aircraft were ordered to supplement the current fleet of 11 CH-47Ds but will mainly support special forces operations. The plan was to then bring the rest of the fleet up to the CH-47F standard. Hillen argues that replacing the CH-47Ds with new build aircraft will allow the Netherlands armed forces to fly the type until 2045, while the upgrade only allows them to fly until 2035. Hillen said: 'This is indeed a higher investment cost than the modification of the current Chinooks, but the difference is more than offset by operational efficiency and cost advantages.' He also pointed out a reduction in risk associated with the modification programme and that the whole CH-47D fleet would continue to be available to the armed forces, something that would not happen with aircraft in the modification programme. Hillen told the Senate that the project would cost €250 million and would allow the Ministry of Defence to sell on the existing fleet of CH-47Ds. The Netherlands armed forces Chinook fleet originally numbered 13, but two losses in Afghanistan have reduced that to the current 11. They consist of seven 1974-vintage CH-47Cs purchased from Canada and upgraded to 'Delta' standard, while the other four aircraft are 1995 vintage CH-47Ds.
26 April 2012 | Boeing
Boeing and World Class Aviation Academy Open International Chinook Training Facility
Dutch and Australian Air Forces 1st to begin training at center in the Netherlands
16 April 2012 | Defense-Aerospace
Dutch to Buy Fewer F-35s Than Planned
AMSTERDAM --- The Netherlands will buy fewer than the 85 Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets it had planned to acquire because costs have risen and the country needs to replace fewer F-16 fighters, the Dutch defence minister said on Sunday. The costs of developing and building the...
4 April 2012 | Lockheed Martin
First F-35 For The Netherlands Rolls Out Of F-35 Production Facility
FORT WORTH, Texas, April 4, 2012 – The first F-35 Lightning II for The Netherlands rolled out of the F-35 production facility on April 1. This is the latest step in the production process leading to its eventual assignment to Eglin AFB, Fla., later this summer. The Netherlands will use the conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) jet, known as AN-1, for training and operational tests for pilots and maintainers. AN-1 will undergo functional fuel system checks before being transported to the flight line for ground and flight tests in the coming weeks. The Royal Netherlands Air Force continues to be at the forefront of flight testing and pilot training and remains at the leading edge of advanced 5th Generation fighter technology.
28 February 2012 | Shephard
Dutch Lynx captured in Libya to be returned
A Dutch Lynx helicopter seized by pro-Gadaffi forces in Libya after a failed evacuation attempt in February last year is being returned to the Netherlands. Dutch authorities said the helicopter, which has been secured near the coastal city of Sirte for almost a year, has now been transferred to Tripoli. From there, the Lynx will be loaded onto a ship for its return back to the Netherlands. According to the Dutch ministry of defence, the aircraft is no longer airworthy and will be dismantled and scrapped on its return. The aircraft was captured during an attempt to rescue two European citizens from Sirte whilst operating from the frigate HMLMS Tromp. Pro-Gadaffi forces captured the three crew and held them until 11 March.
2011
5 December 2011 | Defense-Aerospace
Dutch Worry About New JSF Delays
A possible delay in the first series of the Joint Strike Fighter planes will not necessarily affect the delivery of two Dutch test planes, according to the Dutch Ministry of Defence. The head of the JSF programme said it should be slowed down. Lockheed Martin is due to deliver the first Dutch te...
30 August 2011 | Key.Aero
Final Dutch F-16s Depart for Chile
The Netherlands is completing delivery of the last of a batch of 18 surplus F-16s to the Chilean Air Force.
24 May 2011 | AviationWeek
F-35 Delay Would Mean Higher Dutch F-16 Costs
The reason for the spike in support costs includes additional maintenance for the aircraft structure.
11 April 2011 | Shephard
Dutch MoD cuts key capabilities
The Dutch Ministry of Defence's (MoD's) Leopard MBTs and Cougar transport helicopters are to disappear' in an effort to reduce its financial deficit by 1 billion ($1.4 billion) by 2014.
11 April 2011 | Shephard
Netherlands austerity measures cut deep into helicopter forces
The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) is losing its Eurocopter Cougar helicopter fleet as part of an austerity package by the Dutch Ministry of Defence (MoD).
24 March 2011 | Defense-Aerospace
Dutch Auditor Wants ‘Timely and Full’ F-35 Cost Data
The government has postponed a decision on the procurement of a replacement for the F-16. A final decision has not yet been taken in favour of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). Preparations need to be made, however, for the arrival of the JSF. The Ministry of Defence believes the Joint Strike Fighter ...
2010
8 November 2010 | Defense-Aerospace
Lack of Money Grounds Most Dutch F-16s
THE HAGUE --- Continuing cuts in the defense budget are grounding more and more aircraft of the Dutch F-16 fleet. The aircraft are inoperative and require repairs, but money for replacement parts and repair operations is not available.
1 October 2010 | Defense-Aerospace
Dutch Coalition Agreement Confirms JSF, Cuts Numbers
The tentative coalition agreement approved by Dutch political parties after over three months of negotiations is set out in a 46 page document which outlines their proposed policies for the next four years. Regarding the replacement of F-16 fighters, the text simply states that “F16s have to be ...
16 July 2010 | Key.Aero
Dutch Hercules deliveries complete
A second C-130H Hercules transport aircraft has been delivered to the Royal Netherlands Air Force.
1 July 2010 | Shephard
Milestone for Netherlands Defence Helicopter Command AB-412
The AB-412 rescue helicopter of the Defence Helicopter Command has performed its 100th Search and Rescue mission this year.
28 May 2010 | Shephard
Apache demo team back with a vengeance
The Royal Netherlands Air Force Apache Solo Display Team has returned to airshows at home and abroad.
22 May 2010 | AviationWeek
Prolonged Uncertainty Likely For Dutch On JSF
The purchase has been politically contentious for some time, with left-leaning parties trying to quash the deal.
21 May 2010 | AviationWeek
Dutch Plan F-16 Software Upgrade
The upgrade to the M6.5 standard is being made with an eye to keeping the fighter viable until the end of the decade
11 May 2010 | Defense-Aerospace
Dutch Chinooks Replace Cougars in Afghanistan
Chinooks are taking over the transport mission in southern Afghanistan from 5 smaller Cougars. The Air Force helicopters will transport people and equipment within the ISAF mission area. The last two Cougars left today [May 10] for the Netherlands in an Antonov An-124 cargo plane. The Chinooks we...
23 March 2010 | Key.Aero
Dutch Cougars go grey
The Royal Netherlands Air Force's fleet of Aérospatiale AS.532U2 Cougar II helicopters are turning a shade of grey.
17 March 2010 | Key.Aero
Gilze-Rijen's 100 years
The Dutch air base at Gilze- Rijen has celebrated its centenary.
15 March 2010 | Key.Aero
New 'eye' for Dutch tankers
Royal Netherlands Air Force tankers have been fitted with the Tanker Remote Vision System.
2007
10 October 2007 | MILAVIA News
RNLAF F-16s Reach 7500 Flight Hours Over Afghanistan
The Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16s have reached the milestone of 7500 flight hours over Afghanistan as part of the ISAF mission.
13 August 2007 | MILAVIA News
First Flight NH90 Helicopter for the Royal Netherlands Navy
The first series produced NH90 NFH (NATO Frigate Helicopter) for the Royal Netherlands Navy made its maiden flight on Friday 10th August at AgustaWestland’s Vergiate facility in Italy.
10 June 2007 | MILAVIA News
Last Six of 18 ex-RNLAF F-16 MLU Delivered to Chile
On June 3, 2007, the last batch of six former RNLAF F-16 fighters departed from Twenthe AB in the Netherlands to be handed over to Fuerza Aérea de Chile (FACh) in a ceremony on June 7.
21 May 2007 | MILAVIA News
Six ex-RNLAF F-16BM Fighters Sold to Jordan
In May 2007, it was announced that the Netherlands Ministry of Defence had signed a contract with Jordan on April 12, 2007, for the sale of six ex-RNLAF F-16B Midlife Update (MLU) two-seat fighters.
2006
8 September 2006 | MILAVIA News
Chile Receives First Six ex-RNLAF F-16s
The first six of 18 ex-RNLAF F-16 MLU fighters were delivered to the Fuerza Aérea de Chile (FACh) on September 4, 2006.
21 April 2006 | MILAVIA News
Jordan to buy Dutch and Belgian F-16s
On April 20th, 2006, the Netherlands and Belgium signed a letter of intent for the sale of a total of 20 F-16 fighters to Jordan.
2005
25 November 2005 | MILAVIA News
RNLAF Buys ex-USN C-130s
On Tuesday 22 November 2005, the contract was signed for the acquisition of two C-130 Hercules aircraft. The Royal Netherlands Air Force will expand its Hercules fleet with two additional medium-heavy tactical transport aircraft.
21 November 2005 | MILAVIA News
Jordan Buys Ex-RNLAF F-16s
Prince Feisal Bin Al Hussein of Jordan and the Dutch Ministry of Defence signed a Declaration of Intent regarding the sale of three Dutch F-16s.
13 June 2005 | MILAVIA News
RNLAF orders KDC-10 cockpit upgrade
On 13 June 2005, the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) placed the order for the avionics upgrade of three aircraft, two KDC-10 transport/tankers and one DC-10 transport.
25 March 2005 | MILAVIA News
RNLAF F-16 Deployments
On next Tuesday, 29 March 2005, a detachment of four RNLAF F-16s from Leeuwarden AB will be deployed to Siauliai AB in Lithuania to defend the air space of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
20 January 2005 | MILAVIA News
Romania buys ex-RNLAF HAWK
The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) will sell eight complete HAWK air defense systems including 78 vehicles to Romania.
2004
26 October 2004 | MILAVIA News
Third DC-10 delivered to the RNLAF
Monday October 25 saw the arrival of the third DC-10 acquired by the Royal Netherlands Air Force at Eindhoven AB.
16 October 2004 | MILAVIA News
The end for Dutch Fleet Air Arm is near
Reformed defence plans will effectively mean the end of the Marine Luchtvaartdienst (MLD - Fleet Air Arm) of the Royal Netherlands Navy. The Navy's future NH90 helicopters will be operated by a Defence Helicopter Command to be established at Gilze Rijen AB. The MLD's P-3C Orion fleet will be sold soon.
4 October 2004 | MILAVIA News
RNLAF KDC-10 turns grey
Last weekend, the first grey painted RNLAF KDC-10 tanker aircraft replaced the 'old' white KDC-10 at Manas AB, Kyrgyzstan.
30 August 2004 | MILAVIA News
RNLAF AH-64D crashed in Afghanistan
On 29 August 2004, at 1530h local time a Dutch AH-64D Apache attack helicopter crashed in Afghanistan. The accident happened 20km north of Kabul on a regular patrol together with another Apache. One of the two crew members was lightly injured, the other sustained no injuries when the helicopter was put to the ground in a controlled crash. A Combat Search and Resue (CSAR) unit was scrambled from the U.S. base of Bagram, which picked up the crew and flew them to Bagram's field hospital. The crew have now returned to its unit.
20 August 2004 | MILAVIA News
Six RNLAF F-16s will deploy to Manas AB
The Dutch government decided to send a detachment of six F-16 fighters from Volkel AB and one KDC-10 tanker to Kyrgyzstan.
12 August 2004 | MILAVIA News
Netherlands buys PAC-3 missile equipment
Lockheed Martin has received a $33.9 million foreign military sales contract for Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile-related support equipment for The Netherlands. A follow-on contract for PAC-3 Missiles is anticipated by the end of the year. This is the first international sale of PAC-3 Missile-related equipment.
Back to Index
