News item | 12-12-2024 | 5:00 PM
Defense is still investigating 5 locations for the expansion of fighter flying capacity. These are Woensdrecht Air Base and the former De Peel Air Base. And for shared use at the Groningen civilian airports Airport Eelde, Lelystad Airport and Twente Airport. For training tactical air transport on a short unpaved runway (‘dirt strip’) remain in the picture: Gilze-Rijen air base, Deelen military aerodrome, former De Peel air base and Leusderheide training ground. State Secretary Gijs Tuinman reported this to the House today.
This means that Defense will not further investigate the previously identified areas. For additional fighter flying capacity, these were Volkel, Leeuwarden, Gilze-Rijen and Eindhoven air bases. And for the unpaved Twente airstrip Airport and training areas De Haar, Havelte-West, the Oirschotse and Rucphense Heide. These locations are not yet definitively eliminated. This will only happen when the government definitively adopts the Policy Vision on Space for Defense in 2025.
Noise pollution
It is necessary to expand activities with fighter aircraft within the Netherlands. This is to maintain training levels. Despite intensive use of simulators and training abroad, there are currently insufficient options for this in the Netherlands. This requires extra space. This also applies to the temporary stationing of fighter aircraft from allies and the tactical distribution of the aircraft.
Noise pollution is an important concern for residents living in the designated search areas. The number of homes in the area is therefore a normative aspect in the study of the environmental effects (planMER study). The results show that Lelystad Airport has the least negative noise effects in terms of the number of homes. This is followed by the former De Peel air base and Groningen Eelde Airport as the least bad alternatives.
Twente Airport and Woensdrecht Air Base will be further investigated for a maximum of half of the need. These locations have significantly more ‘noise-affected’ homes than the aforementioned airports.
‘Dirt comic’
A short and unpaved runway is needed to train landing and take-off with tactical transport aircraft. This is currently not possible in the Netherlands, but it is necessary. Especially prior to operational deployment. Because this also involves education and training in the rapid preparation and repair of these so-called ‘dirt strip‘. This is done by soldiers from the Air Mobile Brigade and the Commando Troops.
The number of ‘noise-affected’ homes was also included in the SEA study for this need. The surroundings of the Deelen military aerodrome and the former De Peel air base are rated the least bad. The impact on nature is greatest at Deelen, due to its location in the middle of the Veluwe. This effect is therefore further investigated. Defense is also investigating the possibilities of one ‘dirt strip’ at Gilze-Rijen Air Base and Leusderheide training ground.
Next steps
Defense announced last month which locations it will and will not further investigate within the National Space Program for Defense for most needs. The research results for the above-mentioned extensions were not yet known at the time. The State Secretary has now informed the provinces and municipalities involved about this.
Decision to cabinet
The draft National Policy Vision on Space for Defense is expected to be published in early 2025. The Cabinet will then make a decision on the preferred alternatives and whether Defense may expand at these locations. The policy vision also makes all results of the environmental impact assessment (planMER) available.
To achieve these results, Defense follows a careful and transparent process timeline can be seen again. Once the draft policy vision has been published, everyone in the Netherlands can submit views on it. The cabinet will include this in the decision-making process regarding the final locations.
Defense of territory
The armed forces are growing. This is necessary to defend our own territory and that of our allies. More space is needed for training, storage and to move allies through the Netherlands.