Dutch Defense reveals F-35s intercepted drone over Volkel Air Base on Sunday
Two Dutch F-35 fighter jets were scrambled from Volkel Air Base Sunday morning after an unidentified aircraft entered Dutch airspace without proper identification, the Ministry of Defense confirmed. The aircraft was later identified as a drone, which posed no direct threat and has since left the airspace. The drone had not communicated with air traffic control via radio or transponder and Its origin remains unknown.
The F-35s were deployed under a Quick Reaction Alert (QRA), a measure used when an unknown object enters Dutch airspace without identification. QRA aircraft are on standby 24 hours a day and can take off within minutes.
Since November, the Netherlands has been responsible for alternating airspace monitoring of the Benelux region with Belgium. Defense officials noted that several drone sightings over the past months have triggered similar alerts.
On Sunday, the public was informed about the incident, though it was not initially disclosed that F-35s were involved. “We do not know what it was. This could be a drone, an unknown passenger plane, or an aircraft without radio,” a Defense spokesperson told RTL.
The deployment follows a string of recent drone sightings over sensitive locations, including Volkel Air Base and Eindhoven Airport. Two weeks ago, ground-based weapons were used to intercept drones over the area, but the devices departed without being recovered. “It is unclear who was behind the drones,” Defense said.
During QRA operations, fighter jets may break the sound barrier, producing sonic booms, Defense warned on X (formerly Twitter).
