The Department of Defense has finalized 57 locations designated for expanding the activities of the armed forces. Broadly speaking, these are the same locations for which the cabinet already expressed a preference last May. For eight locations, including the air bases of Woensdrecht and Gilze-Rijen, it has yet to be determined whether possible noise pollution remains sufficiently within limits.
In the coming years, Defense will need more space for educating and training soldiers, and more storage areas must be added. The consequences are far-reaching, as was already clear in May: houses and business premises will have to make way, citizens will have to deal with noise pollution more often and several protected areas, including the wide sandy beaches of Vlieland, will be used for shooting exercises and drone training.
F-35s in Lelystad
What is striking is the designation of Lelystad airport as a base for stationing F-35s. The province of Flevoland had previously stated that it would only agree to this if civil aviation was also allowed. Whether the latter will happen remains unclear. State Secretary Gijs Tuinman (BBB) ​​previously announced that Lelystad is “the best place” for expanding fighter aircraft capacity.
Now that Defense has made final decisions, the outgoing cabinet will make a decision on the locations in December. The plan will then go to the House of Representatives. If the House of Representatives and Senate agree, the plan will be implemented.
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