New training centrifuge for the Royal Netherlands Air Force

Breda, 12 November 2026

The ceremonial signing of the contract yesterday marked an important step towards the delivery of the new Human Training Centrifuge. The contract was signed by COMMIT and supplier JFJ Aviation & Defence. The ceremony was attended by the end users, including Lieutenant General André Steur, Commander of the Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force, and Austrian Major General Promberger. The presence of the Austrian Air Chief also highlighted the international nature of the collaboration with Austrian supplier JFJ Aviation & Defence.

Members of ZÜBLIN Nederland’s management and senior project team also attended the ceremony.

The new centrifuge will enable aircrew to experience, under controlled conditions, the high G-forces they may encounter during operational flying. The installation will feature several cockpit configurations, including specific provisions for the F-35 and a configurable cockpit. This will also enable the facility to be used for other training purposes, including astronaut training.

ZÜBLIN Nederland to deliver the new training complex

JFJ Aviation & Defence will supply and integrate the new Human Training Centrifuge. On behalf of JFJ, ZÜBLIN Nederland is responsible for the design management and construction of the associated training complex in Soesterberg. The scope also includes the associated infrastructure.
 
The complex will have a gross floor area of approximately 1,250 m² and, in addition to the space housing the centrifuge, will include various training, technical and support areas.
The building was designed by Kraaijvanger Architects. Linthorst is responsible for the building services, while ABT is responsible for structural engineering, building physics and acoustics, among other disciplines. RYSE is supporting the project management.
 
The structure will be built largely in timber, including a modular load-bearing structure and CLT elements. The design also incorporates solar panels, heat pump technology and rainwater harvesting systems.

Specialist expertise from across the STRABAG Group

For this technically complex project, ZÜBLIN Nederland is bringing together expertise from across the STRABAG Group.
 
Central Services is supporting the project team with design management and design coordination. ZÜBLIN Timber is contributing its specialist expertise to the development of the timber load-bearing structure. Zentrale Technik is supporting the foundation design for the centrifuge. This is a key aspect of the engineering due to the specific cyclic and dynamic loads exerted on the structure while the centrifuge is in operation.
 
This collaboration brings together architectural, structural and specialist technical expertise from the design phase onwards.

Preparing for construction

Following the contract signing, preparations and the further development of the Design & Build project will continue over the coming months. According to the current schedule, construction work is due to start in mid-2027, with completion planned for autumn 2028.
 
More information about the new Human Training Centrifuge and its importance for aircrew training can be found in the news article issued by the Ministry of Defence.