(NSI News Source Info) May 26, 2009: An agreement in principle has been reached with Chile concerning the sale of eighteen redundant F-16 Midlife Update (MLU) fighters of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, as well as a limited support package. 
The Netherlands Air Force wants to replace their current F-16 fleet in the next decade. In the beginning the candidates for the replacement were the Dassault Rafale, Lockheed Martin's F-16 Block 52/60, the Eurofighter Typhoon, the Saab Gripen and Lockheed Martin's F-35. In 2002 The Netherlands signed a contract to develop the F-35 as a '2nd Level' Partner. That contract is worth around 800 million US Dollars. After the first comparison the F-35 seemed to be the best replacer of the existing F-16 fleet. Saab is now offering their latest aircraft, the Saab Gripen NG (Next Generation) to The Netherlands. The Netherlands was comparing the Saab Gripen NG and the F-35 in early 2009, however many sources and signs indicate that the F-35 will be the next fighter of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, with already an order for 2 test aircrafts to be delivered in 2010, the contract for 85 of these fighters is likely to be made in late 2009.
It is intended that the contract be signed shortly. The delivery of the first aircraft to Chile is foreseen for 2010.
The Netherlands have promised Chile their assistance for the training of approximately 75 Chilean technicians and instructors. Dutch industry will be involved in this contract. Related costs are to be paid by Chile.
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