Departure of F-16s to Chile

The last six F-16s sold to Chile will leave on Sunday, June 3 from Twenthe air base for their ferry flight to Chile.

In total, Chile has bought eighteen F-16 fighters from the Ministry of Defence.

After the delivery flight, which will include stop-overs in the Canary Islands and Brazil, the aircraft will be formally transferred to the Chilean Air Force during a ceremony on Thursday, June 7.

The fighters will make the delivery flight escorted by a KDC-10 tanker aircraft of the Royal Netherlands Air Force. The Air Force will provide over the coming months technical and staff support to the Chilean air force to train them to operate the aircraft. The “On site support team” includes one pilot and eleven technical personnel.

The sale of F-16s is part of the measures from the Prinsjesdagbrief 2003 defense restructuring plan. The total Dutch fleet of F-16 fighters is being reduced from 137 to 108 aircraft. After the accidental loss of three aircraft in 2006, the total fleet has now been further reduced to 105 aircraft.

Sale to Jordan

The previous month, a contract was closed concerning the sale of six additional F-16B combat aircraft to Jordan. These two-seat aircraft will be transferred to Jordan during the first half of 2008.

The decrease in the number of RNLAF fighters is intended to result in lower operating costs, an improved operational availability of the remaining aircraft, and will generate funds for investments such as precision weapons.

Source: Dutch Ministry of Defence; issued May 30, 2007— Defense Aerospace

(Issued in Dutch only; unofficial translation by defense-aerospace.com)
Posted : May 30, 2007

Photo : Chile has already taken delivery of twelve surplus Dutch F-16MLUs, and also operates 10 F-16C/D Block 50 aircraft bought in 2002 from the United States.
[RNLAF photo]



(31.05.2007)