Dutch F-35 fighter jets will be deployed to Poland from September 1 to December 1, under NATO command to safeguard supply routes delivering military aid to Ukraine, the Dutch Ministry of Defense announced.
“By deploying these Dutch F-35s to patrol the airspace over Eastern Europe, we are protecting military equipment destined for Ukraine. We can also respond quickly to (potential) violations of NATO airspace. In this way, we are literally keeping the Russian threat at bay,” Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said.
The announcement comes just days after Norway revealed it would deploy F-35 fighter jets to Poland this fall to help secure Rzeszow–Jasionka Airport, one of NATO’s key transport hubs for delivering military aid to Ukraine.
Norway to deploy F-35s to Poland 🇳🇴✈️
Norway is strengthening its contribution to @NATO‘s air and missile Defence by sending F-35 fighter aircraft to Poland and Rzeszów Airport this autumn.
The mission supports the protection of Polish airspace and a key logistical hub for… pic.twitter.com/mZIBDPmm9F
— Norwegian Ministry of Defence (@Forsvarsdep) June 30, 2025
“This is a vital contribution. We are helping ensure that support to Ukraine reaches its destination, and that Ukraine can continue its fight for freedom,” said Norwegian Minister of Defence Tore Sandvik.
Neither the Netherlands nor Norway has disclosed the exact number of F-35 fighter jets to be deployed.
The decision of both countries followed a sharp escalation in Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities, with Moscow reportedly launching 400 to 500 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) per night in recent weeks.
