The F-16 first joined the Netherlands Armed Forces on 6 June 1979, replacing the F-104 Starfighter. Over the following decades, the aircraft demonstrated its versatility and reliability, both in the defence of Dutch and European airspace and in global missions. The F-16s were initially stationed at multiple air bases across the Netherlands, including Eindhoven, Gilze-Rijen, and Twenthe, though more recently, only Leeuwarden and Volkel have housed fighter jets.
Additionally, Dutch F-16s were stationed in the United States, in Arizona and Illinois, where they were used for pilot training.
The F-16s have been a critical component in the Netherlands’ Quick Reaction Alert, a mission designed to protect the airspace of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. The jets have been called into action on numerous occasions, including when Russian bombers entered Dutch airspace. They were also deployed for domestic missions, such as flood defence, using infrared technology to monitor weakened dikes.
However, the aircraft’s long history has not been without accidents. Between 1980 and 2006, 45 crashes involving F-16s occurred, resulting in the loss of 36 planes and 15 pilots. Since 2006, however, there have been no significant incidents.
The F-16 was involved in several international operations, beginning in 1993 during the conflict in former Yugoslavia, where Dutch jets participated in NATO-led missions such as Deny Flight and Allied Force. Later, the aircraft saw extensive action in Afghanistan between 2002 and 2014 as part of the Enduring Freedom operation and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
In 2011, F-16s from the Netherlands contributed to the NATO operation Unified Protector in Libya, and from 2014 to 2018, they played a role in the fight against ISIS in Iraq and Syria under Operation Inherent Resolve.
While the Netherlands Armed Forces are retiring the F-16, the aircraft will continue to be used for pilot training in Romania, where 14 of the 18 promised jets are already in service. These aircraft will not only train Romanian pilots but also Ukrainian pilots, reflecting the continued strategic importance of the F-16.
In a further show of support, the Netherlands has pledged to donate its remaining F-16s to Ukraine, where they will be used in the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Source: Dutch Ministry of Defence.