Dutch F-35s Play Key Role in Shooting Down Drones Over Poland

The Netherlands scrambled F-35 fighter jets to help defend Polish airspace during an incursion by Russian drones.

Poland’s Ministry of National Defence reported that Polish aircraft also participated in the operation alongside the Dutch jets.

“The operations by Polish and allied aircraft in response to the violations of Polish airspace have concluded,” the ministry stated.

During the attack, ground-based air defense and radar reconnaissance systems were activated.

“The Polish Armed Forces are continuously monitoring the situation in Ukraine and remain fully prepared to ensure the security of Polish airspace,” the Ministry of National Defence emphasized.

More than 20, most likely 23, Russian drones were detected during a nighttime violation of Polish airspace, reported the publication Przemysł Zbrojeniowy.

“Dutch F-35 fighter jets neutralized the majority of the drones,” the publication stated.

In early September, Dutch F-35 fighter jets started patrolling Poland as part of NATO cooperation. The aircraft are stationed at a base in the village of Krzesiny near Poznań.

Their main task is to support the defense of Polish airspace and NATO’s eastern flank, in particular by participating in an air mission as part of the NSATU program – NATO security assistance and training for Ukraine.

Poland regularly scrambles its own and allied aircraft during Russia’s massive attacks on Ukrainian cities. This is due to previous incidents when air targets crossed the border and flew into the country’s territory.

On the night of September 10, Russian drones violated Polish airspace during a large-scale drone attack on Ukraine.

Polish and allied forces detected and tracked several aerial objects using radar. Some of the drones were then destroyed by fighter jets.

In addition, Poland partially closed its airspace after detecting the drone incursion.

This is not the first time that Dutch F-35s have been scrambled to defend Poland. On September 4, two unknown drones violated the country’s airspace and crashed near the village of Łukowa. Dutch fighter jets were also scrambled at that time.