Defense Ministers of the NATO-consortium announced jointly that the best and least expensive contender was the F16. Mirage-maker Dassault offered a discount to the Netherlands.

When four European NATO countries formed a consortium last year to buy 350 new lightweight fighter planes, a stiff competition ensued for what was quickly dubbed the “arms contract of the century.” Last week the Defense Ministers of Belgium, Denmark, The Netherlands and Norway announced jointly that the best and…

Belgium, Denmark, The Netherlands and Norway—four NATO nations acting as a consortium—will buy more than 350 new jet fighters to replace warplanes bought in the 1960s.

Europeans call it the arms deal of the century—and they may well be right. Some time this year, Belgium, Denmark, The Netherlands and Norway—four NATO nations acting as a consortium —will buy more than 350 new jet fighters to replace warplanes bought in the 1960s. France and the…