NATO State Bolsters Unmanned Combat Aviation Capabilities

Gijs Tuinman, Dutch State Secretary for Defense, signed a letter of intent on October 16 to signify the Netherlands joining the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft program and highlighting a new step in transatlantic cooperation in autonomous unmanned systems that will fly as “loyal wingmen” alongside manned fighters.

The signing by Secretary Tuinman took place ahead of the Defense Industry Days at the Dutch embassy in Washington, D.C., and the agreement is in alignment with the Netherlands’ Defense Strategy for Industry and Innovation that was launched in April and identifies unmanned systems as a national priority.

The Dutch Ministry of Defense said, “By joining this program now, the Netherlands is seizing an opportunity to assume a leading role.”

The CCA initiative led by the U.S. is intended to bring to field operations autonomous drones that will accompany fighter jets such as the F-35. By operating autonomously they can extend both sensor and weapons range and capacity as well as performing high-risk missions in contested airspace.

CCAs are designed and intended to be produced faster and at less expense than traditional fighter jets.

The Dutch Ministry of Defense will also partner with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems to develop smaller ISR drones. The Dutch company VDL will build the systems and are expected to enter service as soon as 2026.

Secretary Tuinman said at the Defense Industry Days that transatlantic cooperation is essential and that the partnership would also strengthen the Netherlands’ high-tech industrial capacity.

FMI:  www.government.nl/