Royal Netherlands AF budget cuts - Rumours

There are rumours that the RNLAF is thinking about closing down an air base, probably Twente AB, because of yet another budget cut (800 million euros this time).

If Twente AB is set to be closed,it leaves onlty Volkel and Leeuwarden AB as F-16 MLU bases.

18 F-16s are set to go as well, bringing the number of F-16s in RNLAF service below 100.

Anyone heard/knows more?

The Dutch government has already made an announcement concerning a budget cut in the defence department at the end of last year. The new goals of the Dutch defence are stated in a 'Strategic Agreement' which was presented in september 2002. In the light of a downfall of the Dutch economy, cuts couldn't be avoided. This included cutting some 18 F-16's from operational strenght. Thus 90 aircraft remain operational for NATO instead of 108.

This cut didn't include the disbandment of a squadron. The Netherlands retain 6 squadrons, but instead of 18 aircraft per squadron they consist of 15 aircraft per squadron. In this 'Strategic Agreement' it was still stated that the RNLAF could make use of 3 MOB's, namely Leeuwarden, Volkel and Twenthe.