The Netherlands has requested an almost $700 million purchase of Raytheon AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II short-range air-to-air missiles.
Detailed by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on 6 September, the prospective deal would supply the European nation with 246 of the weapons, plus associated equipment.
“The proposed sale will improve the Netherlands’ capability to meet current and future threats and enhance interoperability with the United States and other NATO members,” the DSCA says. It values the prospective Foreign Military Sales-programme deal – which has been approved by the US Department of State – at around $691 million.
The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) uses AIM-9X missiles with its Lockheed Martin F-35A stealth fighters. Cirium fleets data indicates that the service currently flies 40 of the type, from a planned total of 52.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands on 6 September announced that it will gift equipment and support worth €80 million ($88 million) related to Kyiv’s incoming fleet of donated Lockheed F-16s.
Announced during a meeting of the multinational Ukraine Defence Contact Group at Ramstein air base in Germany, the commitment includes air-to-air missiles, plus “large quantities of spare parts”. These include “generators, small vehicles, essential maintenance materials, specialised tools, and stairs”, the Dutch defence ministry says.
The Ukrainian air force recently began operating the first of almost 100 F-16s which have been pledged to it collectively by the governments of Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway.
Cirium data shows that the RNLAF still operates 34 F-16A/Bs.
