The Dutch Air Force is being given more training space in the north of the country. The reason for this is a redesign of the airspace. This will provide the air force with better training opportunities and, above all, more space for training with F-35 fighter jets (-> Netherlands increases F-35 order), which usually takes place at high altitudes. The reallocation also has advantages for civil aviation.
Training ground in the south canceled
However, the expansion of the northern training area means that the smaller training area for fighter aircraft in the southern part of the Netherlands is no longer available. The background to the new regulation is that the availability of a larger, contiguous area will provide fighter pilots with better and more efficient training opportunities. The removal of the southern training area means that civilian air traffic no longer has to fly detours. Aircraft will therefore be able to get to and from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol more quickly. In this way, the government not only meets the European Union’s goal of reducing detours, but also reduces noise pollution in the region. https://militaeraktuell.at/bundesheer-wird-als-arbeitgeber-immer-beliebter/
Low-flying areas for helicopters
In addition, the Ministry of Defense is still looking for more space as part of the National Defence Space Programme, including in the south of the country. Although the training area for fighter aircraft is no longer available there, low-flying areas for helicopters and helipads are still being sought. With the publication of the National Policy Vision NPRD this year at the latest, it will be clear where these will be located in the future. However, the change to the airspace cannot be implemented in the coming weeks and months. The current plan envisages the publication of a framework plan at the beginning of this year as a first step. An external committee will be appointed for this purpose. This committee will evaluate the new airspace design. The draft and recommendations will then be submitted to the House of Representatives. This will be the case at the beginning of 2026. The final draft is expected by the end of 2028. According to current information, the new plan will be implemented between the end of 2028 and 2030.
