Dutch F-35s Shoot Down Drones in Baltic Sea Training Amid Russian Drone Threat

Amid rising Russian air activity near NATO borders, two Dutch F-35 fighter jets shot down several training drones over the Baltic Sea on March 4 using AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles during a joint exercise with Estonia.

The training aimed to improve the Dutch Air Force's ability to intercept unmanned aerial systems, which are increasingly used as weapons. The Netherlands and Estonia organized the exercise in controlled airspace to simulate real drone threats.

According to the Dutch Ministry of Defense, live-fire exercises are crucial due to the rising use of drones in modern conflicts. This focus follows recent operations where Dutch F-35s helped protect Polish airspace during a large-scale Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine, which borders Poland. Dutch pilots have also practiced advanced tactics, including counter-drone operations, as part of NATO missions in the Baltic region.

In 2024, the Royal Netherlands Air Force transitioned its NATO nuclear role from the F-16 to the F-35, becoming the first European nation to do so. By September, it declared Full Operational Capability for its F-35 fleet. Since late 2024, four Dutch F-35s have been stationed in Estonia to reinforce NATO’s eastern flank, conducting 10 intercept missions and identifying 18 Russian aircraft.