Netherlands Joins U.S. Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program

The Netherlands has joined the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program to develop unmanned aerial systems controlled from fighter jets.

State Secretary for Defense Gijs Tuinman signed a letter of intent on October 15 at the Dutch embassy in Washington ahead of the Defense Industry Days.

The move aligns with the Defense Strategy for Industry and Innovation launched in April, which identifies unmanned systems as a core focus area. These autonomous aircraft will work with manned fighter aircraft like the F-35, extending sensor range, adding firepower, and conducting high-risk missions. They are also quicker and cheaper to produce than traditional aircraft.

The defense ministry is also working with American firm General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) and Dutch firm VDL on smaller unmanned systems for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, expected to be deployable next year.

Later this year, the Netherlands will send an air defense unit to a NATO mission in Poland to provide 24-hour protection against drones, missiles, and aircraft and safeguard logistics routes supporting Ukraine.

Netherlands Boosts Ukrainian Drone Defense with €90M Investment

Separately, the Netherlands is investing €90 million in advanced Ukrainian drones that can circle and strike targets, supporting Ukraine's defense industry and countering Russian aggression. This brings the total drone package to over €1 billion.