The Quest for Relevant Air Power

ROYAL NETHERLANDS Air Force │ 229
Major developments after 2003 were outlined in the Prinsjesdag
Letter. It announced that the F-16 arsenal would be further reduced
from 137 to 108, aimed at lowering operating costs and improving
deployability of the remaining aircraft. Along with this
reduction, one of three air bases was to be closed by 2007. 36 In
contrast, air transport capacities were boosted by two additional
C-130s and one DC-10. 37 Moreover, the increasing demands in
intertheatre airlift capacities led to cooperative multi- and bilateral
arrangements as well as shared ownership. These developments
are examined further below.
Developments in the post–Cold War era also impacted the personnel
structure (see table 4). However, the abolition of conscription
was not a revolutionary step for the RNLAF since it always
consisted mainly of professionally employed personnel.
In the 1990s, the RNLAF developed from a static air force
geared up for the defence of Central Europe into an expeditionary
air force deployable across the entire spectrum of military operations.
While certain specialised capabilities such as dedicated
SEAD assets or CSAR have not yet been acquired, the RNLAF has
been transformed into a more balanced air force. Balance was
achieved through a shift in resource allocation from the combat
aircraft fleet and GBAD units to the buildup of the THG as well
as to the acquisition of C-130 Hercules and modified DC-10 aircraft.
In this transformational process, role specialisation was to
be avoided. Accordingly, the Prinsjesdag Letter of 2003 stated,
“The Netherlands armed forces concentrate on a limited number
of advanced capabilities, without following a path of excessive
role specialisation and without unduly limiting the choice of deployment
options.” 38
Following the announcements of further budget cuts in July
2007, the RNLAF further reduced its F-16 fleet to 87 aircraft, including
72 assigned to five operational squadrons. Despite this
reduction, the number of operational squadrons was kept constant.
Accordingly, squadron strength was reduced from 18 to 14
or 15 aircraft. 39
Another important step was the establishment of the Defence
Helicopter Command on 4 July 2008. This new joint command is
in charge of all military helicopter operations and reports to the