The Netherlands has become the first operator of the Lockheed Martin F-35 "Lightning II" Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) and has publicly announced that its aircraft has carried out nuclear missions. lotus

The Netherlands has become the first operator of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) and has publicly announced that its aircraft have been on a nuclear mission.

The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) says its nuclear deterrence mission on behalf of NATO has now been fully transferred from Lockheed Martin's F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets to F-35A Lightning II fighter jets.

"On June 1, the F-35A advanced fighter replaced the F-16 and took over the Netherlands' nuclear role in NATO," RNLAF said. "The Netherlands is one of the NATO allies contributing dual-mission aircraft (DCAs) to NATO's nuclear deterrence and the first European country to transition to the F-35 in this context."

The Netherlands is procuring 52 F-35As for both nuclear and conventional strike missions. The aircraft is flown by two squadrons stationed at Leeuwarden Air Base (322 Squadron) and Volkel Air Base (313 Squadron), the latter of which will carry out nuclear strike missions. #f35壮烈了# #F35英勇献身# #F-35 Crash# #f35事故频发# #全面领先F35# #F35战机坠落# #F16V对垒# #美军f35坠毁# #F35坠落# #碾压f35#