Dutch F-35s Shoot Down Several Drones Over Baltic During Exercises

7 March, 2025 Dutch F-35As during exercises over the Baltic Sea. Source: Dutch Ministry of Defence. Dutch F-35A fighter jets successfully intercepted and shot down several drones during exercises over the Baltic Sea, according to the Dutch Ministry of Defence.

A pair of F-35 fighter jets successfully completed a training mission using AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles to engage air targets. This exercise took place in NATO-controlled airspace and was initiated by the cooperative efforts of Estonia and the Netherlands.

Dutch F-35As during exercises over the Baltic Sea. Source: Dutch Ministry of Defence.

The Netherlands' F-35As have been patrolling NATO's eastern flank from ?mari Air Base in Estonia since December 2024.

The air group consists of four aircraft and 90 to 150 military personnel. During this time, the Dutch pilots have already flown 10 interceptions, identifying 18 Russian aircraft. As previously reported, Dutch F-35 fighters arrived at the Latvian Lielv?rde Air Base.

The fighter jets made their first sorties almost immediately after deployment to Estonia.

A Dutch F-35A escorts a Russian Su-24MR. Source: Dutch Ministry of Defence

On December 9, it was reported that F-35A fighters of the Royal Netherlands Air Force had made their first interceptions of Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea. The fighter jets are reported to have taken to the air twice on a Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) signal.

During the first flight, two Russian aircraft were identified and escorted: Su-24MR and An-72, and during the second flight -- IL-20.

In mid-January, it became known that Dutch fighter jets had joined the NATO Baltic Sentry mission.