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Dutch parliament wants out of F-35
The Dutch parliament has voted to pull out of the F-35 joint strike fighter program and cancel an order for one jet the nation has already placed, according to Defense News, which confirmed the development with the Dutch Embassy in Washington.
The Netherlands was one of the first countries to sign on to the F-35 development program and one of the biggest foreign contributors.
A Dutch Embassy spokesman said the decision would have to be reviewed when a new government takes office after June 9 elections.
The Ministry of Defense has repeatedly reaffirmed its decision to participate in F-35 development and eventually buy the aircraft. Chris Geisel, a Lockheed Martin spokesman, said in a statement that the company is "monitoring the Dutch election" process.
The Dutch contributed $800 million to F-35 development and testing and are expected to buy up to 85 aircraft, but political factions in that country have repeatedly expressed opposition to those commitments for cost and other reasons.
The Dutch parliament has voted to pull out of the F-35 joint strike fighter program and cancel an order for one jet the nation has already placed, according to Defense News, which confirmed the development with the Dutch Embassy in Washington.
The Netherlands was one of the first countries to sign on to the F-35 development program and one of the biggest foreign contributors.
A Dutch Embassy spokesman said the decision would have to be reviewed when a new government takes office after June 9 elections.
The Ministry of Defense has repeatedly reaffirmed its decision to participate in F-35 development and eventually buy the aircraft. Chris Geisel, a Lockheed Martin spokesman, said in a statement that the company is "monitoring the Dutch election" process.
The Dutch contributed $800 million to F-35 development and testing and are expected to buy up to 85 aircraft, but political factions in that country have repeatedly expressed opposition to those commitments for cost and other reasons.
