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.

The vote on whether the stealthy plane will replace the Dutch fleet of F-16s occurred the evening of Nov. 7.

The first Dutch F-35 takes to the skies. The Dutch Parliament voted Nov. 7 to purchase the F-35 as their next-generation fighter

“This is a very important moment in history: Finally we can give clarity to our military and to our international partners,” Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the Dutch minister of defense, said in a statement released by the government. “With this choice for the F-35, we provide the Dutch Armed Forces with the best aircraft available to deal with the challenges of our time and of the future.”

Both Lockheed Martin, prime contractor on the plane, and engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney reacted positively to the news.

“Lockheed Martin is honored that the Netherlands Government has selected the F-35 as the F-16 replacement,” Lockheed Martin said in a company statement. “We are proud that for more than 30 years, the Royal Netherlands Air Force has owned and operated Lockheed Martin aircraft. Flying the F-35 will represent the next chapter of our partnering by providing the very best aircraft capabilities possible for Netherlands’ national security. Dutch Industry is currently involved in designing and manufacturing the F-35 and this program provides high technology jobs and long-term technology benefits to the Netherlands.”

“Pratt & Whitney is honored to be part of the Dutch government’s selection of the F135-powered F-35 Lightning II, and we look forward to supporting the Royal Netherlands Air Force and Dutch aerospace industry,” said Tyler Evans, director of international business development at Pratt & Whitney Military Engines.

,” Joe DellaVedova, spokesman for the F-35 Joint Program Office, said.

The Dutch government selected the fifth-generation fighter Sept. 17, releasing a statement calling the plane “a well-considered choice for a high-tech, future-oriented air force.’

The purchase will be for 37 of the F-35A conventional-take-off-and-landing variants, which will be the most widely produced model of the jet. The US Air Force intends to purchase more than 1,700 F-35As

The Dutch have budgeted €4.5 billion (US $6 billion) for the F-35, which they believe will cover the 37 planes — a nmber the government’s statement says could grow.

“If, within the given financial parameters, there is room to purchase more aircraft in the coming years, the Netherlands will do so,” the statement read.

The Netherlands has already purchased two F-35A variants, while the first Dutch pilot is currently in training school at Eglin Air Force Base.

Nine countries are partner nations on the F-35 program, including the Netherlands. But countries that sign on as partners are not automatically guaranteed to purchase the planes. Other partner nations that have yet to commit to the jet include Denmark, which hopes to select a fighter by mid-2015, and Canada, whose decision to purchase the F-35 has been frozen due to a political scandal.

Russian defense minister due in Brazil for talks

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu will meet with Brazilian officials Wednesday following Brasilia’s decision to buy surface-to-air missile batteries from Moscow, the two sides said Tuesday.

The visit, a day after Shoigu was to hold top level meetings in nearby Peru, comes as Moscow has raised its profile throughout Latin America in recent years with strengthened military and trade ties.

Shoigu’s stop in Brazil also comes as President Dilma Rousseff is pressing for the release of a Brazilian biologist detained in Russia alo
g with 29 other Greenpeace activists after protesting Arctic oil drilling.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu will meet with Brazilian officials Wednesday. 

BRASILIA, BRAZIL — Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu will meet with Brazilian officials Wednesday following Brasilia’s decision to buy surface-to-air missile batteries from Moscow, the two sides said Tuesday.

The visit, a day after Shoigu was to hold top level meetings in nearby Peru, comes as Moscow has raised its profile throughout Latin America in recent years with strengthened military and trade ties.

Shoigu’s stop in Brazil also comes as President Dilma Rousseff is pressing for the release of a Brazilian biologist detained in Russia along with 29 other Greenpeace activists after protesting Arctic oil drilling.

Last February, Brazil agreed to open talks with Moscow on buying surface-to-air missile batteries during a visit in the Latin American country by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

Last December, Brasilia also bought 12 Russian helicopters.

Meanwhile Rousseff last week directed her foreign minister to make high-level contact with Moscow to find a solution for Brazilian Greenpeace activist Ana Paula Maciel.

Maciel was one of 30 activists from 18 countries arrested by Russia in late September and charged with piracy after authorities said they had found “narcotic substances” on the Dutch-flagged Arctic Sunrise, used in their protest.

Greenpeace has denied the allegation as a “smear,” and the arrests have raised international protests.

Putin has said that the activists “of course are not pirates,” but his spokesman Dmitry Peskov later said the Kremlin strongman had expressed his personal opinion.

Brazil and Russia are both members of the BRICS group of emerging powers along with China, India and South Africa.

The BRICs five are to hold their next summit in Brazil next March.

In Peru Tuesday, Shoigu was to meet with President Ollanta Humala, as well as with his counterpart Pedro Cateriano, and to sign agreements on military and education cooperation at the army headquarters.

Top Ten Military Expenditure Database

List of countries by military expenditures :

1. United States : 682,478,000,000 $


2. People's Republic of China :166,107,000,000$

3. Russia : 90,749,000,000$

4. United Kingdom : 61,007,000,000$

5. Japan :59,267,000,000$

6. France :58,943,000,000$

7. Saudi Arabia :56,724,000,000$

8. India : 45,785,000,000$

9. Germany : 43,478,000,000$

10. Italy : 34,004,000,000$

11. Brazil : 33,143,000,000$

12. South Korea : 31,660,000,000$

13. Australia : 31,660,000,000$

14. Canada : 22,600,000,000$

15. Turkey : 18,184,000,000$