Holland To Dump The P-3 Orion

Holland has announced that it will be eliminating it's two squadrons of P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft. Germany has reportedly considering an offer to buy 10 of them.

The P-3 is one of the best maritime patrol aircraft that has ever been brought to market. Dumping the two squadrons with no replacements is a very shortsighted move by the Ministry of Defense. Holland has a (relatively) long coastline and the P-3 renowned for its patrolling abilities.

I'm sure that the MOD looked at the current threat analysis and determined that there was very little threat that the P-3 could efficiently counter. But what about in 5-10 years? What if the Chinese do create a real blue water navy that can place a threat a few hundred miles off the coast of Amsterdam? What if the Russians decide they don't want to play nice anymore? What if some terrorist led nation finds the money to buy a real seaborne capability? Do the Dutch really want to place their trust in the French or the Germans to protect them?

This is a short sighted move, with some nasty long term potential consequences.

UPDATE: It looks like the US Navy is thinking about doing the same to its P-3 Reserve Squadrons.