Netherlands

Netherlands

F-35 for the Netherlands

The Netherlands was the second international partner to receive the F-35, and continues to serve as a key contributor to the production and sustainment of the F-35 Lightning II advanced fighter. The Dutch are making plans to add to their F-35 fleet to increase the nation’s capability and capacity to engage in allied operations.

Base Locations

Program Milestones

2012: The first Dutch F-35, known as AN-1, takes flight in Fort Worth, Texas.

2016: F-35 makes public debut on Dutch soil for environmental testing.

2018: Luke AFB stands up F-35 squadron for the Netherlands F-35 training.

2019: Netherlands’s First Operational F-35, known as AN-3, is delivered from the Fort Worth, Texas, factory.

2019: First aircraft arrival at Leeuwarden Air Base.

2019: Roll out of first Dutch F-35 produced at Cameri, Italy, FACO.

2021: Netherlands declared Initial Operating Capability (IOC)

2022: First aircraft delivered the first aircraft to Volkel Air Base