Final Batch of Refurbished F-16s on their Way to Chile

The delivery of refurbished Dutch surplus F-16 fighter aircraft to Chile is nearing its end as the final aircraft left the Dutch Volkel Air Base on Monday, 29 August 2011.

This batch of six aircraft from a total of 18 fighters marks the end of a long transfer process, agreed between the governments of the Netherlands and Chile in early June 2009. On Monday, five aircraft took off from their former home base; one straggler, which could not leave on time, followed the next day.

The sale of Dutch surplus F-16 Mid-life Upgrade (MLU) fighters to Chile began on 1 June 2010 with the official hand-over of the first F-16s to the Chilean Air Force (Fuerza Aérea de Chile, FACh). However, the aircraft were first refurbished in the Netherlands. The first batch of six aircraft left on 5 November 2010. A second batch bound for Chile took off from Volkel on 6 April 2011.

It is the second sales agreement for F-16s between the two countries after a first contract had been signed in 2006 for the same number of aircraft, following Dutch efforts to cut military expenses by reducing their inventory.

This brings the number of former Dutch F-16 MLUs within the Chilean inventory to 36 aircraft. 29 of these aircraft feature the “A” single-seat configuration, while seven aircraft are delivered in the “B” two-seat version. Further, the Chilean Air Force operates 10 F-16C/D Block 50, which entered service in 2007, making the Lockheed Martin-built aircraft the backbone of the country’s fighter fleet.

The total price for the 18 aircraft of the 2009 agreement is estimated at around €100 million (some CLP 787 million). However, this sum has not been confirmed by the Dutch Ministry of Defence (MoD). Further, the agreement provided for the training of Chilean technicians by the Netherlands, as well as the delivery of related equipment. In April, an Ilyushin Il-76 transport aircraft delivered spare parts and navigation equipment for the F-16s to Chile.

According to the Dutch MoD, the latest sale of F-16s has reduced the number of combat aircraft in the Dutch Air Force from 105 to 87, including 14 for training purposes. Earlier this year, the government decided to further reduce the ageing F-16 fleet of to only 68 aircraft.

The 2009 agreement with Chile equally results from austerity measures, decided in 2007, seeking to generate additional funds by selling surplus equipment, including artillery pieces, main battle tanks and fighter aircraft. In addition to the transfer of F-16s to Chile, the Netherlands sold nine surplus F-16s to the Kingdom of Jordan in 2007.

Since the late 1970s, the Dutch Air Force has been relying on its F-16 fleet, which has been license-produced by Fokker in the Netherlands, to secure its air space and to project air power to military operations abroad. As recent as June 2011, Dutch F-16s from Volkel Air Base intercepted two Russian T-95 Bear bomber aircraft that penetrated NATO airspace. Further, Dutch F-16s contributed to Operation Unified Protector to enforce the arms embargo and the no-fly zone over Libya since the end of March 2011.

However, the Dutch Air Force is currently facing the dilemma of wanting to replace its ageing F-16 fleet by F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft while being under severe pressure to save money. The Netherlands plan to acquire 85 F-35As; however, the programme’s significant costs increase and delay has led the MoD to increase its savings efforts in order to guarantee the planned purchase.

The Netherlands have implemented substantial cuts to their armed forces during the past years, decommissioning significant numbers of equipment from all branches. The government plans to reduce defence spending by approximately €1 billion over the next four years.* Most prominently, the cuts included all of the remaining 60 Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks, leaving the Royal Netherlands Army without a tank force. (nvk)


Source: www.defpro.com (August 31, 2011)

Photo: The Chilean Air Force operates 36 Dutch surplus F-16 MLU fighters.

(31.08.2011)