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Netherlands austerity measures cut deep into helicopter forces

11th April 2011 - 15:20 GMT | by Tony Osborne in London

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The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) is losing its Eurocopter Cougar helicopter fleet as part of an austerity package by the Dutch Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Despite the aircraft being used successfully during operations in Afghanistan, 14 are being removed from the air arm almost immediately, with Cougar flying operations at Gilze-Rijen-based 300 Sqn expected to end on 8 May. The measure is expected to save the MoD almost €50 million.

However, three of the aircraft - along with four crews - are being retained for the search and rescue role until 2012 when sufficient NH-90s will be available.

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Author

Tony Osborne

Tony was deputy editor of Defence Helicopter and Rotorhub magazines before joining Aviation Week in …

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