Netherlands Opens Talks to Buy More JASSM-ER Missiles for F-35 Fleet

U.S. government to acquire additional AGM-158B Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile Extended Range weapons for its F-35 fleet, according to a national defense projects document released on Wednesday. The Ministry of Defense is procuring additional Deep Precision Strike munitions to replenish operational stocks, the report said. S.

government regarding the procurement of these munitions have now begun. A Letter of Acceptance has been signed allowing necessary software to enable deployment of the Lockheed Martin-made missile. 6 million per unit was not disclosed.

The move follows a 2024 Letter of Offer and Acceptance between The Hague and Washington to initially acquire the deep strike capability. With the acquisition of this high-tech capability, the Dutch Ministry of Defense is helping to fill an important capability gap within NATO in Europe, the defense projects overview added.

The Netherlands is committed to acquiring a fleet of 57 F-35A conventional takeoff and landing combat aircraft and was the first European country to move the fighter into a dual capable role after taking on NATO's nuclear mission in 2024. Other European JASSM customers include Finland, Germany and Poland. S.

forces involved in Operation Epic Fury against Iran. In April, the Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated that over 1100 JASSM units had been expended as part of that effort.

The military projects document also reveals a three-year delay in the delivery of the Dutch navy's first Anti-Submarine Warfare frigate, owing to technical complexity of the design. The hold up means that delivery has slipped to 2033. In 2023, the Netherlands contracted local shipbuilder Damen and French partner Thales to design and produce two of the new vessels, alongside two for Belgium.

The original ship design proved to be unstable, reads the project's document. An adjustment to the ship design was necessary to correct this and to meet the previously established requirements regarding flexibility in terms of space and weight for the integration of future systems.

The Dutch Ministry of Defense is in close contact with Damen and the Belgian government to address potential next steps. The ministry also plans on informing lawmakers about procurement preparations for additional ASW frigates.

For the first time, the defense projects document includes a land program based around the acquisition of combat unmanned ground vehicles to support the deployment of LEOPARD 2 A8 main battle tanks. The effort has been scaled up and its budget increased, according to the update.

Figures show an overall program value ranging from €50 million to €250 million. Procurement activity includes the closing of a framework contract with a Dutch contractor that covers CUGS for anti-armor operations and reconnaissance.