The Dutch parliament approved the acquisition of eight F-35A strike fighters, the Netherlands’ first batch of F-35A production jets, to begin recapitalizing the country’s F-16 fleet starting in 2019, reports Flightglobal. The first two Dutch F-35s transferred from Eglin AFB, Fla., to Edwards AFB, Calif., in mid-January to begin the Dutch test and evaluation work, according to the Dutch defense ministry. The Netherlands plans to purchase a total of 37 F-35As, split between two squadrons at Leeuwarden Air Base and Volkel Air Base, and a five-strong training unit at Luke AFB, Ariz., stated defense ministry officials. The Dutch initially planned to purchase up to 85 F-35As, a number that was whittled down to the current plan in protracted debate in parliament. The first Dutch F-35 was delivered in 2012. The Dutch air force inaugurated its first F-35A unit, 323 Squadron, now at Edwards, last year.
House, Senate Unveil Competing Proposals for 2026 Budget
July 11, 2025
Lawmakers from the House and Senate laid out competing versions of the annual defense policy bill on July 11, with vastly different potential outcomes for some of the Air Force’s most embattled programs.