Dutch F-35s Now Ready for NATO Nuclear Deterrent Missions

The Royal Netherlands Air Force has declared Full Operational Capability (FOC) for its fleet of F-35 fighter jets.

The aircraft will now be able perform all operational tasks under any circumstances, including airspace monitoring, counter-terrorism operations, and participation in NATO's nuclear deterrent missions.

The F-35, which now fully replaces the F-16, offers the Royal Netherlands Air Force the ability to achieve long-range effects in a short time without requiring extensive planning or support from other weapon systems. The first F-35 jets arrived at Leeuwarden Air Base on October 31, 2019, and the Air Force currently has 40 of the 52 units on order.

In the Defense Memorandum released on September 5, the Dutch government announced plans to procure additional F-35 aircraft to further enhance national security and bolster its NATO commitments.