Dutch government says to purchase 37 F-35 fighter planes

The Netherlands said it will buy 37 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter planes and may order more if funds become available, in a decision that should end years of political wrangling over ballooning costs and delays.

The Dutch government's announcement in its budget for next year was a boost for Lockheed Martin and Washington, which had urged the Netherlands in April not to turn to other suppliers because of fears of rising costs in a project that has been blighted by technical faults and delays.

"The government has decided, on operational, financial and economic grounds, to select the F-35 as the new fighter aircraft for the Netherlands armed forces," Defence Minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert said in a policy paper setting out her long-term vision for the armed forces.

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