More Than Just F-35s: Poland and the Netherlands Deepen Cooperation
Starting this September, F‑35s of the Kingdom of the Netherlands will begin patrolling Polish airspace. This is one of the key measures set out in the new Polish‑Dutch agreement on security and defence cooperation.
Poland has signed a special memorandum with the Netherlands aimed at bringing the two countries closer together in matters of security and defence. As Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak Kamysz explained, the agreement covers several concrete areas: an intensification of joint military exercises and efforts to build proficiency on the most advanced U.S. equipment already in Dutch service, and, soon, in the Polish Armed Forces as well (F 35s, Apache helicopters, and Patriot air defense systems).
Dutch F-35s in Poland
A highlight of the conference was the announcement that four Dutch F-35 fighters will be deployed to Poland to patrol its airspace from September 1 to December 1 of this year (Norwegian jets currently perform a similar mission). “This is an expression of solidarity and responsibility for all of NATO,” said Minister Kosiniak Kamysz. The Dutch side has also been invited to participate in September’s “Iron Defender” maneuvers, held concurrently with the Russian Belarusian “Zapad 2025” exercises.
The Dutch Minister of Defence opened his remarks by thanking Poland for its assistance to the Netherlands during World War II, as well as for its contemporary efforts to strengthen the North Atlantic Alliance.
Poland: A NATO Leader
“Poland mattered to us not only eighty years ago but remains a pillar of security today. Thanks to Polish leadership, the whole of NATO can see that reaching 5 percent of GDP on defence spending is possible. Without Poland, it would have been very difficult.” He also highlighted opportunities for cooperation between the Polish and Dutch defence industries.
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Finally, Minister Kosiniak Kamysz noted that talks also covered the Netherlands’ recent experience in acquiring submarines. Last year the Dutch signed a contract to purchase four vessels from France’s Naval Group. “That decision was strategic,” he said. “We greatly need Dutch military expertise to make the right choice for the Orka submarines, which we intend to finalize this year.”
