Taking Off the Wedding Ring: The Consequences of the Netherlands' Choice to Forgo a Nuclear Capable F-35
Abstract
In November 2013, the Netherlands government decided to opt for the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) as the replacement aircraft for its F-16s. Dutch parliament, while approving the choice for F-35, however, has indicated that the F-35 should not have a nuclear mission. Currently, the Dutch F-16s are tasked with the NATO nuclear mission, a mission perhaps considered as a relic of the Cold War. By unilaterally discontinuing the capability to deliver non-strategic nuclear weapons (NSNW) with Dual Capable Aircraft in the near future the Netherlands could be jeopardizing relationships with the United States as a major ally and within the NATO Alliance as a whole. Furthermore, the choice made by the Netherlands could lead to an alliance wide re-evaluation of the nuclear task with forward deployed US tactical nuclear weapons, at a time that Europe suffers instability and uncertainty due to Russia s current behavior. This paper analyses the political processes in the Netherlands, regarding both the decision to buy the F-35 and the nuclear disarmament policy of the Netherlands government framed against the relationships with NATO and the United States. It also considers the international nuclear disarmament agenda as a whole and the current crisis in Europe between NATO, US and Russia.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 17, 2015
- Accession Number
- ADA623264
Entities
People
- Niels Haarsma
Organizations
- Air War College