A dozen Dutch F-35 fighter jets are currently in the United States for annual training exercises designed to prepare them for defending NATO territory. The 12 fighter jets arrived at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho on October 29, accompanied by four A330 tankers for in-air refueling. The exercises will last for three weeks, with the aircraft expected to return to the Netherlands around November 21.

### The Context

The Dutch military conducts regular training exercises in the U.S. due to the limited space available in the Netherlands for testing and firing the weapons carried by their stealth fighter jets. The Netherlands operates 40 F-35A jets capable of carrying American tactical nuclear weapons, which are deployed across multiple bases in Europe.

The F-35 is equipped to launch a variety of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons, including Sidewinder missiles and small diameter bombs, making it a versatile and advanced fighter aircraft.

### What To Know

According to the Dutch Defense Ministry, military personnel will practice responding to simulated attacks, handling malfunctioning equipment, and flying low to take cover. “The pilots must be able to perform precision attacks,” the ministry emphasized.

Frederik Mertens, a strategic analyst with the Dutch TNO think tank, explained that these annual exercises allow Dutch personnel to train at the squadron level alongside the U.S. Air Force. This ensures that all personnel involved in operating the high-tech aircraft maintain their skills and that multiple aircraft can operate together effectively when necessary.

NATO aircraft frequently operate together, including during air policing missions along the alliance’s eastern flank. Recently, several NATO countries deployed additional fighter jets to Poland after Russian drones crossed into the country in mid-September. While Russia denied intentionally targeting Poland, some current and former NATO officials described the incident as a probe of NATO defenses.

“For the Dutch, being able to train in the USA is particularly important because we are a small, densely populated country,” Mertens noted. He pointed out that the Netherlands is roughly five times smaller than the state of Idaho but has about nine times the population.

### Advanced Capabilities of the F-35

The F-35 is the most advanced Western fighter jet available to militaries outside the U.S. As a fifth-generation stealth fighter, it features superior avionics and sensors while being harder to detect compared to fourth-generation aircraft.

Lockheed Martin, the U.S. defense firm that manufactures the F-35, markets it as the “most lethal, survivable, and connected fighter jet in the world.”

Last month, British and Australian F-35s completed joint training exercises in the Indo-Pacific region, further demonstrating the jet’s global operational integration.

### Conclusion

The ongoing Dutch training exercises in the U.S. underscore the importance of international cooperation and readiness among NATO allies. With geopolitical tensions on the rise, maintaining a well-trained and capable air force is critical for collective defense.

Stay tuned for updates on the Dutch F-35s as they complete their training and prepare to return home later this month.
https://www.newsweek.com/why-netherlands-f-35a-stealth-fighters-deployed-in-us-idaho-11027323