Netherlands Defense hit hard by cutbacks

The Royal Netherlands Air Force reduces the number of F-16s from 87 to 68. The Cougar transport helicopters disappear and the third DC-10 will not be employed. Also disappears  the Air Force Ground Defence 2 Object-platoons and one of the four Patriot batteries.

14 Cougars exit 8 May 2011
3 cougars exit 2012 (SAR Duties)
4 alouettes exit 2012

Future orbat;

4 submarines
4 LCF air defense/command destroyers
2 M-frigates
2 patrol ships/corvettes
6 minehunters
2 LPDs (Landing Platform Dock)
1 JSS
5-6 marine companies

4 mechanized battalions (CV90 only, probably all in one brigade)
3 air assault battalions
1 ISTAR battalion
reduced artillery (1 PzH2000 battery?)
4 SOF companies

68 F-16A MLUs (40 combat coded)
29 Apaches (16 combat coded)
20 NH-90s (8 navy, 8 air force)
11 CH-47D, 6 CH-47F
4 C-130H/-30s, 2 KDC-10, 1 G-IV

2-3 Patriot PAC-3 batteries,
NASAMS (AMRAAM-based) future still unknown,
Stingers.

Photo: Rob Vogelaar, ZAPP