Commander of Royal Netherlands Air Force visits Pakistan Air Force Headquar

[Darth Vader]

[Press Release]

Lieutenant General Alexander Schnitger, Commander of the Royal Netherlands Air Force visited Air Headquarters, Islamabad on Wednesday. The distinguished guest was received by Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force.

On his arrival, a smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Air Force presented the Guard of Honour. Later he was introduced to Principal Staff Officers of Pakistan Air Force. The distinguished guest paid homage to the martyrs of PAF by laying floral wreath on Martyrs' Monument at Air Headquarters Islamabad.

He also called on Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, in his office. Both the dignitaries remained together for some time and discussed matters of professional interest. The distinguished guest also attended a briefing at Air Headquarters on the organisation, role and functioning of Pakistan Air Force.

 

[Umair Nawaz]

is it a routine visit or can we expect something....

 

[araz]

You EXPECT something when a man and a woman meet These 2 old men together are good for nothing.

 

[fatman17]

netherlands has excess F-16's but they are not in good condition because of the wet, cold weather in that country - would require a detailed MLU.

 

[That Guy]

Any news of anything happening? Was it just a formal visit?

 

[Munir]

We have the same F16 block 15... In fact, the Dutch produced PAF F16's (Fokker). They all are MLU'ed so not that bad but they all are end of their potential. The Dutch admitted a few days back that their planes will start crashing sooner then we all might expect. So they desperately need replacements and started to talk to Saab, Dassault etc. The Dutch need cash (crises) so they reduced F35 from 60 to 30 (and may even cancel) but they stopped flying two test F35 and retracted their entire team...

Selling to PAF? More chance to sell them to Chile which bought a few batches. (same idea as PAF, buying block 52 and filling up with MLU). Jordan did buy them but not very happy about the quality. Neither to they have the manpower to get more. Neither is Israel to happy with it.

So it was surely not a formal visit. But I doubt Pakistan will buy them knowing that 2/3 is sitting in hangars waiting for parts and maintenance.

There is a lot of unpredictable now... Gripen just has been put on hold by Swiss which need it to replace their F5. India is backing out of multi billion Rafale deal... And the list is a lot longer. If you look at what is happening to F22 (number cut) and F35 (number cut and many are rethinking about what to do)...