No F-35s at De Peel airbase
The Department of Defense announced preferred locations for expanding its operations on May 23, 2025. De Peel Air Base is no longer in the picture for the F-35. The fighters will go to Lelystad Airport, if it is up to the Ministry of Defense. Nor will there be a sand landing strip for transport aircraft at De Peel. However, the low-flying area for helicopters in the region will be expanded.
The plans are contained in the Draft National Policy Vision Space for Defense (NPRD), which the Cabinet adopted May 23. It lists preferred locations for 57 space needs. These include space for barracks, warehouses, low-flying areas, training grounds and fighter aircraft.
The schedule
View Planning 2025 National Defense Space Program for more information on the next steps.
Submit views
Anyone who wants to can comment on the Draft NPRD from May 28 through July 9, 2025. After that, Defense will write a Memorandum of Response. In it, Defence gives a reaction to the views. The Cabinet will then adopt the final NPRD. Defense expects a final decision from the Cabinet by the end of 2025.
Information meetings
Defense is holding online information meetings for anyone who wants more information about the plans. A link to attend the online meetings will be on the Defense website at a later date .
There are also information sessions by province. On Tuesday, June 24, 2025 for North Brabant. Bosscheweg 2 in Den Bosch. You can register via the link on the Defense website.