Counter-drone training over the Baltic Sea: Dutch F-35s shoot down several target drones

Over the Baltic Sea this week, two Dutch F-35 fighter jets shot down several target drones as part of counter-drone training. AIM-9 Sidewinder guided missiles were used. The exercise was initiated by the Netherlands and Estonia and took place in controlled airspace.

Counter-drone missions as a fixed part of the F-35 role

Estonia provided the drones. According to the Netherlands Armed Forces, the exercise “offered pilots a valuable opportunity to train tactics for engaging several drones at the same time”. Within NATO, counter-drone missions are now a fixed part of the F-35's tasks.

How much drones are becoming a growing threat was evident only the week before: Dutch F-35 jets supported Polish airspace surveillance after Russia had launched a massive missile and drone attack on Ukraine, which borders Poland directly.

Four Dutch F-35 fighter jets have been stationed in Estonia since the end of last year. Their mission: to protect NATO's eastern flank against airspace violations by Russia. The Dutch contingent numbers 90 to 150 soldiers. The F-35s have so far scrambled ten times to intercept Russian aircraft, identifying a total of 18 aircraft.