April 8, 2013 defense-aerospace.com
(Source: Dutch Ministry of Defence; issued April 4, 2013)
(Issued in Dutch only; unofficial translation by defense-aerospace.com)
The two F-35 test aircraft which the Netherlands has bought for the operational test phase will be temporarily stored.
They will remain in storage until a decision is taken on the replacement of the F-16 in conjunction with the vision for the future of the armed forces, the government has decided.
The United States and the United Kingdom have recently begun pilot training for the operational test phase, in which Dutch personnel will take no part.
During the storage period, only US pilots will fly the aircraft, to keep them airworthy.
Planning
The Netherlands purchased the two test aircraft to participate in the operational test phase of the F-35.
The first is ready, and the second will be completed this summer. The operational test phase will begin, according to current plans, in 2015.
Click here
for the MoD’s related letter to Parliament (in Dutch) on the MoD website.
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