Previously, Dutch F-35s required transportation to a regional maintenance center in Italy for significant upkeep, a process that is no longer necessary for all cases thanks to the new facility. This shift towards in-country maintenance enables the Royal Netherlands Air Force to preserve crucial F-35 specific knowledge within the nation. A number of aircraft maintenance technicians from the Logistics Center Woensdrecht have already transitioned from F-16 experts to F-35 specialists to support this initiative.
The F-35 National Air Vehicle Depot has undergone extensive renovations from its days as an F-16 maintenance hangar. The upgraded facility now meets all the requirements for the maintenance, modification, and repair of the F-35, adhering to the highest standards of operational readiness and efficiency.
The opening of this depot is a significant milestone, with the Netherlands joining the United Kingdom as one of the only European countries to independently conduct maintenance on the F-35.
