The Royal Netherlands Air Force’s (RNLAF) F-35
Lightning II fighter jet fleet has now reached Full Operating Capability. Concurrently, the Netherlands
has bid farewell to its fleet of F-16
Fighting Falcons. However, as the Fighting Falcon chapter in the Netherlands’ history draws to a close, it is just beginning in Ukraine (
which has just received the first retired F-16 fighters
from the Netherlands and Denmark).
The Netherlands fully transitions to F-35s
The Netherlands has stated that its F-35s have reached Full Operating Capability. These will now be used for the defense of the Netherlands, including contributing to NATO’s nuclear deterrent strategy. In early June,
Simple Flying reported that the Netherlands had fully transitioned to using the F-35s to carry out the country’s nuclear sharing role
(around 20 American thermonuclear bombs are shared with the Netherlands under a nuclear sharing agreement).
“The F-35 enables us to deliver critical, long-range military effects at a moment’s notice. This is a game changer for the Dutch Armed Forces.” – Commander of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, Lieutenant General Dennis Luyt
The Netherlands was the second international partner to receive the F-35 in October 2019 and has long been a key contributor to the production and sustainment of the jet (
many F-35 parts are produced by US allies around the world
).
A major leap in capability
The Netherlands has a program of record to purchase 52 F-35s. It now operates a fleet of 40 F-35s with another 12 on order. According to Aerotime, the country plans to purchase another 6 F-35s for a total of 58. This is part of a larger rearming of the Netherlands after European security deteriorated with Russia invading Ukraine in 2022. Additionally, the Netherlands will purchase 46 modern Leopard 2A8 tanks, two more frigates, and another 6 extra maritime NH-90 helicopters.
The F-35 represents a quantum leap over the F-16 Fighting Falcon (especially the older models the Netherlands was operating – the most modern variant is the F-16 Block 70/72). The Dutch F-35s operate out of the Leeuwarden and Volkel Air Force Bases in the Netherlands.
Retirement of Dutch F-16s
The Dutch F-16s were retired in a ceremony on September 27, 2024, after 45 years in Dutch service. While the F-16 is an American fighter jet, these were locally built in Europe under license as part of the European Participation Group. There were two European F-16 production lines, one at the Netherlands’ Fokker Schiphol-Oost facility and the other in Belgium. The Netherlands procured 102 of the jets.
Alongside Norway, Belgium, and Denmark, the Netherlands has promised to donate at least 24 F-16s to Ukraine. Additionally, Denmark has sold some of its old F-16s to Argentina, while Norway has sold some of its aging F-16s to Romania.