Netherlands

Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

The Netherlands has become the second nation in the Air Force Capability Coalition for Ukraine to deliver aircraft into the war-torn country.

The Munich-based company has now raised more than €135 million.

The Royal Netherlands Air Force is set to become the second European air arm after Norway’s to depend entirely on the F-35 for combat aircraft operations.

The six aircraft are part of a wider defense spending package worth €2.4 billion ($2.6 billion).

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines cautiously welcomed the less drastic plans, which foresee a reduction in aircraft movements to 475,000-485,000.

“New threats require action,” the Dutch government says, also announcing it will spend money on helicopters, tanks and warships in addition to the F-35 JSF buy.

PAL-V has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with airport owner Forum Group to establish an assembly and delivery center for the Liberty fly-drive vehicle.

Zelenskyy signed a decree that dismissed Lt. Gen. Mykola Oleshchuk, the Ukrainian air force commander since 2021.

NATO looks set to purchase a further three Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft to bolster the alliance’s Multinational MRTT Unit.

The Netherlands has signed an order with Robin Radar Systems for sensors to detect small UAS and plans to donate them to Ukraine to bolster air defense.

Embraer has signed a contract with the Netherlands and Austria for the European countries’ joint procurement of nine C-390 tactical airlifters.

After months of preparation, Ukraine is about to receive its first batch of F-16s to help it battle Russia.

A Dutch court has ruled that the Netherlands must follow a European Union procedure for reducing noise at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport.

Germany, Italy and the Netherlands are buying 940 Stinger Block 1 missiles from Raytheon.

Ukrainian pilots will fly Lockheed Martin F-16s in the country’s skies this summer as the official handover is underway.

Vienna is eager to replace its three Lockheed Martin C-130s that are now about 50 years old.

Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway have been approved to acquire hundreds of Raytheon Amraam missiles to equip combat aircraft and ground-based air defenses.

The Netherlands has declared its Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter fleet ready to take on the dual-capable aircraft (DCA) nuclear mission from the F-16.

The Dutch Defense Ministry has given the green light to upgrade electronic warfare suites on its AH-64, CH-47 and NH90 helicopters, the government says.

Elysian has expanded the advisory board providing input on the design, development and operation of its proposed 90-passenger battery-electric aircraft, the E9X.

The Netherlands and Poland look set to expand SEAD/DEAD capability of their combat aircraft with the procurement of anti-radiation missiles.

The Netherlands and Austria are to cooperate on procurement of the Embraer C-390 airlifter, Austrian defense officials have said.

The end of the F-16’s operational service in the Netherlands has moved a step closer with the type’s withdrawal from domestic air policing operations.

Ukraine will begin receiving F-16 combat aircraft this summer, the Danish government has announced.