The United States government has authorized the possible sale of new AIM-120C-8 air-to-air missiles to equip the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s stealth F-35A fighters. The operation, valued at $570 million and framed within the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, was notified by the State Department to the U.S. Congress for approval.
The current status of the Netherlands’ F-35As
The Royal Netherlands Air Force declared Full Operational Capability of its F-35A fighters in September 2024, following the retirement of the F-16 after 45 years of service. The Dutch government is considering expanding the fleet to 58 units, as part of a $2.7 billion military investment plan.
The F-35As are tasked with air surveillance missions over Benelux airspace, deployments in support of NATO, and potential participation in the Alliance’s nuclear deterrence role. Some of the retired F-16s have been transferred to Ukraine through the European F-16 Training Center (EFTC) in Romania, where Ukrainian pilots receive instruction alongside NATO personnel.
According to information released by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on September 15, the Dutch government requested the purchase of up to 232 new AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles from the United States, with RTX Corporation as the primary contractor. The package also includes spare control sections, training missiles, containers, spare parts and consumables, repair support, classified and unclassified software, technical documentation, personnel training, transportation, as well as engineering and logistical support services.
According to the official statement, the proposed sale “will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO ally that is an important force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.” It also detailed that the operation “will enhance the Netherlands’ ability to meet current and future threats by ensuring modern and reliable air-to-air munitions.”
Images for illustrative purposes only.
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