The defence ministry has earmarked €5.7bn for a replacement for the F-16 fighter jet and while the Joint Strike Fighter is still the front runner, Thursday’s parliamentary debate will include discussion on its competitors, reports the AD newspaper.

But now that Labour, which has always been critical of the JSF, is in the governing coalition, it has forced the defence ministry to take another look at the competition.
If the Dutch air force wants a plane which is invisible to enemy radar, the JSF from US manufacturer Lockheed Martin is the only choice, says the AD.
But changes in the selection criteria mean the new Dutch fighter jet no longer needs to meet this requirement if it can destroy enemy fire at such a distance that it does not pose a threat.
According to the AD, the Saab Gripen Next Generation could be a better choice and is a ‘dangerous outsider’ for the contract.
MPs will discuss on whether the Dutch will take part in the test phase of the JSF on Thursday.