13/11/25 (Agence Europe) – On Thursday 13 November, the Dutch Ministry of Defence announced that the Netherlands, together with several partner countries, had decided not to acquire six Boeing E-7 Wedgetail aircraft, which were being considered to replace the Boeing E-3A AWACS. Last July, the United States withdrew from the programme to replace these airborne detection and control systems. “The strategic and financial foundations of the previous programme have disappeared. As a result, the remaining countries have abandoned the acquisition of E-7s. They are now looking at alternative solutions for replacing the fleet and are seeking new partners”, the ministry said in a press release. According to Secretary of State Gijs Tuinman, the aim remains to bring other, “quieter” aircraft into service by 2035. “The American withdrawal also demonstrates the importance of investing as much as possible in European industry”, he added in the press release. (CG)