After 45 years, Dutch F‑16 jets take final flight to Ukraine
The Dutch Ministry of Defence has released footage of the final flight of eight F-16AM/BM aircraft over the Netherlands. This article highlights the performance of these jets, which will retire in Ukraine.
1:53 PM EDT, September 28, 2024
On September 27, 2024, the Netherlands officially bid farewell to the F-16 after 45 years of service. The milestone was marked by a formation flight of eight aircraft over the country.
However, these aircraft are not retiring for good. They will undergo modifications before being sent to Ukraine, where they will be used to intercept Russian aircraft. Meanwhile, Dutch airspace is now protected by F-35 aircraft, which have recently received certification for carrying nuclear weapons.
F-16AM/BM — relics of the Cold War to be deployed to Ukraine
The Netherlands first acquired F-16 aircraft on June 6, 1979, when the initial jets arrived at the Leeuwarden airbase. The Netherlands ordered two versions: the single-seat F-16A and the two-seat F-16B. Over the years, these aircraft protected not only Dutch airspace but also that of other NATO countries. Unfortunately, the use of these planes wasn't without incident. The Netherlands experienced 45 accidents, leading to the irrecoverable loss of 15 F-16 aircraft.
During their service in the 1990s, these jets received the Mid-Life Update (MLU) modernization package. This upgrade primarily integrated AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, which have a range of around 60 miles, depending on the version, and installed a new radar to ensure their effective use. Aircraft upgraded with the MLU package were designated F-16A/B MLU or F-16AM/BM.
Despite these upgrades, the MLU standard does not meet the needs of modern warfare. Therefore, the aircraft are being further modified before delivery to Ukraine. It’s likely that some equipment reserved exclusively for NATO countries, such as the NATO Identification Friend or Foe system, will be removed.
Reports indicate that the F-16s are being integrated with French AASM Hammer guided bombs and have been spotted in Ukraine with AN/ASQ-213 HTS targeting pods. These upgrades will enable the full potential of weapons like the AGM-88 HARM anti-radar missiles, JDAM-ER bombs, and Paveway bombs. Ultimately, Ukraine will receive a hybrid aircraft with performance capabilities between the F-16C/D Block 52+ and the F-16A/B MLU.
