Dutch F-35s will help monitor Polish airspace from September to December. The deployment of the fighter planes is intended to militarily deter Russia on the eastern edge of NATO territory.
NATO has established a logistics center in Poland for the transit of weapons and other military goods to Ukraine.
“By deploying these Dutch F-35s to monitor the airspace over Eastern Europe, we are protecting military equipment destined for Ukraine,” writes outgoing Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans (VVD) in a letter to the Dutch Parliament. He and Prime Minister Dick Schoof will visit Poland on Monday.
In addition, the deployment of the F-35s, according to the minister, ensures that NATO can respond quickly to (threatening) violations of airspace. “This is how we literally keep the Russian threat at bay.”
The Netherlands is working closely with Norway on this mission. The aircraft will be under the direct control of NATO. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago, Dutch F-35s have been deployed more often to monitor NATO airspace.
Other NATO airspace activities in which the Netherlands participates include monitoring the airspace of the Benelux and collecting information with drones along the eastern edge of NATO territory.