The Dutch already have one F-35 and they're due to get another in just a few months. They're the first of what was supposed to be an 85 aircraft purchase. But the Netherlands government and military are getting cold feet for the over-expensive, overdue and under-performing, partially stealthy light attack bomber. So they've decided to park the F-35s while they explore their options.
Newly appointed defence minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert announced
the decision to park the test assets in a letter to the Dutch parliament
on 4 April. A first example - delivered in late 2012 - and a second,
expected to be handed over in mid-2013, will be stored at Edwards AFB,
California, where they will be kept in airworthy condition and flown
occasionally by US Air Force pilots. The effects of the decision will be
discussed with the F-35 Joint Program Office.
It seems the Dutch would like to keep their brace of F-35s in "like new" condition for resale. It's also reported that, if the Dutch do go ahead with the F-35, they may trim upwards of 33 from the initial planned order of 85. Some say that with the amount actually budgeted for Holland's F-16 replacement at the end of the day and barring further price increases the Dutch won't be able to afford more than 35 in total.
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