Netherlands Selling F-16s to Jordan
THE HAGUE, 27/09/13 - The defence ministry is selling 15 F-16s and 52 Maferick ground-to-air missiles to Jordan. The two parties have reached an agreement in principle, Defence Minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert has told the Lower House.
The contract is expected to be signed at the beginning of next month. The delivery of the fighter aircraft will then begin at end-2015 and will take place in three waves. Jordanians will be trained for maintenance and use of the fighter aircraft. The order had already been checked against weapons exports criteria of the European Union in January 2012, according to the minister. At that time, it appeared that the supply of the aircraft would have no consequences for the human rights situation in the country. Because the planes are intended to replace the existing fleet, the supply will not cause a disruption of the balance of power and stability in the region either, she says. |