The Dutch Ministry of Defense wants to reopen an air base with fighter jets F-35 Lightning II as a response to the “deterioration in the world security situation”. This should be the third location in the country with stealth planes.
According to the communiqué of Ministry, published this Friday (14), the worsening security in the world brought an increase in flights and a need for more training of the armed forces, which also demands more space.
“Due to the closure of the Soesterberg, Twenthe and Valkenburg air bases around 16 years ago, the Ministry of Defense has little room to expand the number of flights. All air bases are 'full' or nearly full. The reopening of De Peel Air Force Base helps address the lack of space at air bases.”
Located in the southeast of the country, on the border with , De Peel is an airfield originally built in the 1950s as a reserve base. The site was never the permanent headquarters of any squadron, but received several aircraft in training until it was decommissioned in 1993 and served as a base for the Dutch Army Air Defense Command.
With the arrival of the F-35, the Royal Dutch Air Force (RNLAF) even made test flights on site. The Ministry wants to make De Peel the third base in the country to operate with the jet. The RNLAF currently has F-35 fighters at Volkel ee Leeuwarden bases.
“After reopening, 12 fighter jets will be able to take off a maximum of 1.800 times and land 1.800 times at De Peel each year. There are 3.600 flight movements per year. The defense has indicated that it wants to fly 3 6-week periods or 24 07-week period per year. The air base is then open from Monday to Thursday from 00:24 to 00:07 and on Friday from 00:16 to 45:XNUMX”, says the folder, further stating that the operation of early warning aircraft (AWACS) in De Peel is not foreseen.
