Dutch F-35 Jets to take over Nuclear Bomb Dropping Role Within NATO from F-16s

The Royal Netherlands Air Force will transition its nuclear role within NATO from the F-16 to the F-35 on June 1.

This move positions the Netherlands as the first European nation to undertake such a transition within the NATO framework.

Dutch Minister of Defence, Kajsa Ollongren, formally apprised the Dutch House of Representatives of this development, highlighting the strategic importance of the transition. The Netherlands, as one of NATO's committed Allies, plays a vital role in bolstering the Alliance’s nuclear deterrence capabilities. The shift from the F-16 to the F-35 for the nuclear role underscores the Netherlands’ steadfast commitment to NATO’s overarching objectives of peace preservation, coercion prevention, and aggression deterrence.

Over the past few years, the F-35 has undergone testing and certification processes to ensure its suitability for assuming the nuclear role previously held by the F-16. While the RNLAF has already integrated the F-35 into its fleet for conventional operations, the forthcoming transition solidifies its role in safeguarding NATO’s nuclear deterrence capabilities.

Volkel Air Base is slated to serve as the operational hub for the Dual-Capable Aircraft F-35 squadron, tasked with fulfilling the Netherlands’ nuclear obligations within NATO.