The Dutch government will purchase aviation weapons for F-16 fighter jets, which will soon be transferred to Ukraine.

Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren stated this following a meeting of the Contact Group on Defense of Ukraine.

The Netherlands will allocate over €150 million to purchase air-to-ground weapons for F-16 fighter jets awaiting delivery to Ukraine.

It is noted that the contract for their purchase will be concluded directly with the manufacturer.

The Netherlands will also purchase reconnaissance drones for Ukraine worth €200 million. This is being done in consultation with other partners and the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

“These drones are already in use and have proven themselves on the battlefield,” Minister Ollongren said.

Aviation armament

The types of aviation weapons are not mentioned, but they are most likely guided bombs, in particular, JDAMs. Their long-range version, JDAM-ER, is actively used by Ukrainian MiG-29 and Su-27 fighter jets.

Currently, Ukrainian aviation uses 500-pound (230 kg) bombs with a control module, but more powerful 2000-pound (910 kg) bombs may be purchased for the F-16.

Depending on the carrier’s flight speed and the altitude of the launch, the maximum range of such munitions can reach 72 kilometers.

The procurement of AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missiles used to defeat enemy radar systems and air defense systems is also an option.

These munitions are currently used in the simplest of the three available modes due to the lack of integration with the onboard electronics of Ukrainian aircraft. With the arrival of the F-16, their effectiveness and depth of operation should increase significantly.

The transfer of more serious weapons, such as the AGM-158 JASSM air-launched cruise missiles, which can be considered an analog of the well-known Storm Shadow, is unlikely due to political issues and the need to obtain the permission of the United States.