As the Dutch Ministry of Defense stated, the plane only needs a few minutes to intercept the enemy aircraft. Four fighters are used to protect airspace, and another four for joint exercises.
The Netherlands will send eight F-35 fighter jets to Poland by the end of January 2023. On Monday, January 23, CNN reported, citing the Dutch Ministry of Defense’s statement.
“In February and March, four warplanes will be on hand to protect NATO airspace over Eastern Europe, called the Air Policing. The remaining four F-35s are participating in a training program with the Allies in activities called Alert. These exercises increase the readiness on NATO’s eastern flank. and promotes cooperation between various NATO countries.”
The ministry states that the F-35 is able to respond within a few minutes to intercept an enemy aircraft if necessary.
“Two F-35s are constantly protecting NATO airspace, the other two are in reserve,” the statement said.
Warriors serving with the Netherlands
According to the F-16.net portal, the Royal Netherlands Air Force received 213 F-16 fighter jets. As of 2022, the state has used 40 of them. Dutch forces are in the process of replacing these warplanes with more modern F-35s.
Recall that on January 23, the Bundeswehr began to transfer Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems to Poland. The air defense system will be deployed at a distance of about 60 km from the Ukrainian border and about 110 km from Lviv.
Earlier on January 20, the NL Times wrote that the Dutch government would consider handing over F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine if Kiev made a request.
Source: Focus
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