Dutch waffle on F-35 purchase

The Netherlands' involvement in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program will remain uncertain for several more months. The lower house of the Dutch parliament voted to cancel the purchase of an F-35 initial operational test and evaluation aircraft, but the caretaker government now in place wants the decision left to the new government. General elections are planned for June 9, but the situation could remain unresolved as new coalition agreements are worked out. The F-35 purchase has been politically contentious in the Netherlands, and the debate has become more heated because of the F-35's schedule and cost overruns. (Source: Aerospace Daily and Defense Report via Military.com, 05/24/10) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home to the still-developing Joint Strike Fighter training center.