Netherlands supports Ukraine with F‑16 jets and advanced missiles

The F-16 jets, eagerly awaited by Ukraine, will also require a substantial supply of ammunition. To address this need, the Netherlands has committed to transferring millions of euros to fund the purchase of weapons. Here's a closer look at what the Dutch are financing.

Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren announced a significant investment in military aid to Ukraine, with a 150 million euro package for weapons specifically for the F-16 jets and an additional 200 million euros allocated for reconnaissance drones.

The Netherlands is among the nations stepping up to provide Ukraine with F-16A/B MLU jets. The weapons package will include air-to-ground guided missiles, likely the AGM-65 Maverick, enhancing Ukraine's military capabilities.

Designed in the 1960s to supersede the less successful AGM-12 Bullpup, the AGM-65 Maverick missile featured a modular design. This approach allowed for specialization based on mission needs, such as a laser homing warhead for the US Navy or a television camera warhead for the Air Force.

Commissioned in 1972, the Maverick offered precise targeting of armored vehicles with a 123-pound shaped charge warhead from about 12 miles away, although its first iteration, the AGM-65A, had challenges engaging targets beyond 8 miles under less than ideal conditions.

Subsequent versions addressed these issues, incorporating higher resolution cameras or infrared sensors for thermal imaging of targets. By February 1983, the AGM-65D variant was operational, delivering enhanced performance. Later models, such as the AGM-65E/F/G/K, further expanded the missile's range and efficacy, even introducing a heavier penetrating warhead designed for delayed detonation.

As a fire-and-forget weapon, the AGM-65 Maverick allows pilots to lock on to targets before launch. An F-16 can be armed with up to six Mavericks, a capability proven during Operation Desert Storm against Iraqi armored divisions.