Lelystad to be new F-35 fighter jet base; Most Dutch support Defense expansion plans
Leleystad Airport will become the new base for Dutch F-35 fighter jets, along with getting a commercial aviation branch, sources close to the Cabinet told the Telegraaf. Most Netherlands residents see the need for Defense to expand and support plans to do so, but are hesitant about having fighter jets and ammunition in their areas, according to a poll by Kieskompas.
According to the Telegraaf’s sources, the Cabinet is on the brink of giving the green light to station new F-35 jets at Lelystad. That goes with allowing up to 10,000 “wholesale traffic” flight movements at the airport, so that the airport can take over some commercial flights from Schiphol Airport.
The Ministry of Defense has been eyeing Lelystad Airport for a while as the base for new F-35s. According to Defense, stationing the fighter jets in Lelystad would cause the least noise pollution for locals. Lelystad locals are very opposed to the idea, partly due to complaints from Leeuwarden residents - where the current F-35s are stationed - that the new fighter jets are making much more noise than the old F-16s
Most Dutch people support the government’s plans to expand military activities, with three-quarters even being prepared to “accept some personal inconvenience if the Netherlands is better protected.” They are most hesitant about having explosives, ammunition, and F-35s in their neighborhoods, NOS reports from a Kieskompas survey of 10,000 Dutch.
Only about four in ten Dutch would be okay with military training grounds with explosives in their area. An equally large group supports this in principle, but not within their vicinity. When it comes to F-35 jets and ammunition storage, half are in favor in both cases, even if it happens nearby, while 17 and 13 percent are strongly opposed.
The citizens who are against explosions in “their backyard” mainly worry about noise pollution or safety, because Defense locations could be a target. Supporters find it “important that everyone contributes” or wants to help contribute to “a safer world.” Strikingly, citizens who currently live near defense activities are less critical of expansion in their areas, the researchers found.
