Netherlands to send F-35s to patrol Poland’s eastern border

The Netherlands is to send F-35 fighter jets to Poland to patrol the skies over Nato’s eastern border, defence minister Ruben Brekelmans has announced.

Brekelmans said the deployment of the aircraft, in a joint mission with Norway, was part of the “military-strategic objective of deterring Russia and defending the Nato treaty area.”

The minister did not say how many of the Netherlands’ 46 F-35s will take part in the operation, but they will be deployed between September 1 and December 1.

They will be used to defend against threats from ballistics missiles and drones and  guard Nato’s support and training facility for Ukraine NSATU, which is based in Poland.

The announcement was made in a letter to parliament while Brekelmans was in Poland with caretaker prime minister Dick Schoof to sign a new co-operation agreement on defence.

“With a war on our continent, co-operation in the area of defence is not a luxury, but a necessity,” Schoof said art a press conference in Warsaw with his Polish counterpart, Donald Tusk.

“That’s why we feel lucky to have a partner such as Poland, which has known much longer what it is like to live under threat.”

The deal is intended to bring the current agreement, which dates from the 1990s, up to date to reflect current threats, by increasing the capacity for joint military operations and training.

The Netherlands has already committed to expanding its fleet of F-35s to 57 aircraft by 2028.