Lockheed Martin has rolled out the first F-35 Joint Strike Fighter destined for the Netherlands.
The jet, a conventional takeoff and landing F-35A known as AN-1, will be assigned to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida later this summer, Lockheed said. The Netherlands will use the jet for training and operational tests.
The Dutch have ordered two test F-35s but, like a growing number of other countries, have wavered over their long-term commitment to the aircraft. The Netherlands had originally planned to buy more than 100 of the stealthy fighters but analysts say a number around a third of that is now more likely.
