This page lists the equipment of the Royal Netherlands Air Force.
Model | Variant | Image | Origin | Type | Quantity | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Combat aircraft | ||||||
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II | F-35A | ![]() | ![]() | Swing role stealth fighter | 40 (+12) | [2] Successor of the F-16AM. Deliveries: first in October 2019 [6] |
Transport | ||||||
Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules | C-130H | | ![]() | Tactical transport aircraft | 2 | [7] 2 C-130H30 ordered in 1993, 2 C-130H ordered in 2004. [7] To be replaced by the Embraer C-390. |
C-130H30 | 2 | |||||
Embraer C-390 Millenium | — | ![]() | ![]() | Tactical transport aircraft | 0 (+5 on order) | [8] [9] [10] The deliveries to start in 2027. Rheinmetall to provide the simulators. [11] |
Trainers | ||||||
Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer | PC-7 | ![]() | ![]() | Basic training aircraft | 13 | [12] In service since 1989. To be replaced with the PC-7 MKX. |
PC-7 MKX | ![]() | 0 (+8 on order) | [13] Selected in October 2024, purchased with 4 flight simulators in February 2025. [13] |
Model | Variant | Operators | Image | Origin | Type | Quantity | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aerial refueling | |||||||
Airbus A330 MRTT Multi-Role Tanker Transport | A330-200 MRTT | MMF MultinationalMRTT Fleet | ![]() | ![]() | Tanker / transport aircraft | 9 (+ 3 on order) | [14] Based at the Eindhoven Air Base in the Netherlands. [15]
The first aircraft entered service in June 2020, the ninth in February 2025). |
Transport | |||||||
Boeing C-17 Globemaster III | C-17A | SAC Strategic Airlift Capability | ![]() | ![]() | Strategic transport aircraft | 3 | [21] [14] Based at Pápa Air Base in Hungary. |
Air surveillance | |||||||
Boeing E-3 Sentry | E-3A | NAEW&CF programme (NATO Airborne Early Warning & Control Force) | ![]() | ![]() | AEW&C (Airborne early warning and control) | 14 | [22] Based at NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, Germany. 18 E-3 used initially, and to be replaced by the E-7 Wedgetail, of which 6 ordered in January 2024. [23] [24] |
Boeing E-7 Wedgetail | E-7A | ![]() | ![]() | AEW&C (Airborne early warning and control) | 0 (+ 6 on order) |
Model | Variant | Image | Origin | Type | Quantity | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Combat helicopter | ||||||
Boeing AH-64 Apache | AH-64E | ![]() | ![]() | Attack helicopter | 12 (+16 on order) | [25] The Netherlands purchased 30 AH-64D, and received the first in 1998. [26] It was modernised to the standard AH-64D Block III in 2012. [27] 2 AH-64D were lost.(1 in Afghanistan in 2004, 1 in Mali in 2015). [28] 28 of the AH-64D rebuilt to the standard AH-64E, contract in 2018, first delivered in 2022. [29] |
Transport helicopters | ||||||
CH-47 Chinook | CH-47F MYII CAAS | ![]() | ![]() | Heavy transport helicopter | 20 | [30] CH-47 history in RNLAF: [30]
|
AS-532 Cougar | AS-532U2 | ![]() | ![]() | Multirole helicopter | 12 | [9] 17 ordered in 1993, received between 1996 and 1998. [31] Their replacement is starting in 2028 with the purchase of 12 H225M Caracal. [9] |
NHIndustries NH90 | NH90 NFH | ![]() | ![]() | Naval helicopter (including ASW) | 19 (+6 planned to be ordered) | [32] Contract for 20 helicopters signed in June 2000, first delivered in April 2010. [33] 1 lost in July 2020. [34] MLU scheduled in 2027. [33] A need for additional NH90 NFH identified by the review of the defence capabilities. [35] |
Special role helicopter | ||||||
Airbus Helicopters H225M | — | ![]() | ![]() | Special operations helicopter | 0 (+12 on order) | [36] The H225M was selected in June 2023, with 14 expected to be ordered. [9] Order of 12 helicopter in November 2024. [37] |
Model | Variant | Image | Origin | Type | Role | Quantity | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper | MQ-9A Block 5 | ![]() | ![]() | MALE, fixed-wing UCAV Medium-altitude long-endurance | Surveillance and reconnaissance | 4 (+4 on order) | [38] Four drones delivered in 2022. [39] Four additional on order. [39] At the moment unarmed, planned to be armed soon. |
Model | Variant | Image | Origin | Type | Role | Quantity | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ICEYE SAR | 25 cm resolution imaging | ![]() | ![]() | Microsatellite, synthetic aperture imaging radar | Imaging surveillance satellite | 1 (+ 3 on order) | [40] Frst satellite put in orbit in June 2025. [41] |
Model | Variant | Image | Origin | Type | Used with | Quantity | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Air-to-air missiles | |||||||
AIM-9 Sidewinfer | AIM-9M | ![]() | ![]() | Infrared homing, short range air-to-air missile | F-35A Lightning II | 0 (retired) | [42] 290 purchase in 1990. Variant likely donated to Ukraine. [43] |
AIM-9X Block II | 409 | ||||||
AIM-9X Block II+ | 43 | ||||||
AIM-120 AMRAAM Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile | AIM-120A | ![]() | ![]() | BVR air-to-air missile Beyond visual range | F-35A Lightning II | 0 (retired) | [50] 200 purchased in 1995. Variant likely donated to Ukraine. [50] |
AIM-120 C7 | 68 | [51] | |||||
AIM-120D3 | 226 | [54] [55] Missiles supplied by Raytheon, approved for sale in December 2024, order in July 2025. [56] [57] | |||||
Strategic weapons | |||||||
B61 nuclear bomb | B61 Mod 12 | ![]() | ![]() | Thermonuclear gravity bomb | F-35A Lightning II | 22 | [59] [60] |
Air-to-ground missiles | |||||||
AGM-158JASSM Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile | AGM-158B JASSM - ER JASSM -Extended Range | ![]() | ![]() | Land attack cruise missile (externally mounted) | F-35A Lightning II | 0 (+120 on order) | [61] [62] [63] Contract signed with Lockheed Martin in July 2024. |
AGM-88 HARM High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile | AGM-88G AARGM - ER Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile - Extended Range | ![]() | ![]() | Anti-radiation missile | F-35A Lightning II | 0 (+265 on order) | [64] [65] [66] Ordered from Orbital ATK. |
Guided bombs | |||||||
GBU-39 SDB Small Diameter Bomb | GBU-39B SDB I | ![]() | ![]() | Guided bomb 250 lb (110 kg) | F-35A Lightning II | 853 | Used with the former F-16, and used now with the F-35A. Mounted on a quad-bomb launcher rail for the bomb-bay. |
Unguided bombs | |||||||
Mark 82 | — | ![]() | ![]() | Gravity bomb 500 lb (230 kg) | F-35A Lightning II | Unknown | [72] [73] Used with GBU-10 Paveway II, GBU-12 Paveway II, GBU-38 JDAM and GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II. |
Mark 84 | — | ![]() | ![]() | Gravity bomb 2,000 lb (910 kg) | F-35A Lightning II | Unknown | [72] [73] Used with GBU-31 V1 JDAM. |
BLU-109 | — | ![]() | ![]() | Bunker buster bomb 2,000 lb (910 kg) | F-35A Lightning II | Unknown | [72] [73] Used with GBU-31 V3 JDAM. |
Bomb guidance kits | |||||||
GBU-10 Paveway II | — | ![]() | ![]() | Laser guidance kit | F-35A Lightning II | Unknown | [72] [73] Warhead: Mark 82 500 lb (230 kg) bomb. Initially purchased for the F-16, but compatible with the F-35A. [74] |
GBU-12 Paveway II | — | ![]() | ![]() | Laser guidance kit | F-35A Lightning II | Unknown | [72] [75] [73] Warhead: Mark 82 500 lb (230 kg) bomb. Initially purchased for the F-16, but compatible with the F-35A. [74] |
GBU-38 JDAM | — | ![]() | ![]() | GPS guidance kit | F-35A Lightning II | Unknown | [72] [73] Warhead: Mark 82 500 lb (230 kg) bomb. Initially purchased for the F-16, but compatible with the F-35A. [76] |
GBU-49 - Enhanced Paveway II | — | ![]() | ![]() | Precision guidance kit | F-35A Lightning II | 200 | [77] [51] [73] Warhead: Mark 82 500 lb (230 kg) bomb. Initially purchased for the F-16, but compatible with the F-35A. [78] |
GBU-31 V1 JDAM | GBU-31 V1 | ![]() | ![]() | GPS guidance kit | F-35A Lightning II | Unknown | [72] [73] Warhead: Mark 84 2,000 lb (910 kg) bomb. Initially purchased for the F-16, but compatible with the F-35A. [76] |
GBU-31 V3 JDAM | GBU-31 V3 | ![]() | ![]() | GPS guidance kit | F-35A Lightning II | Unknown | [72] [73] Warhead: BLU-109 2,000 lb (910 kg) bomb. Initially purchased for the F-16, but compatible with the F-35A. [76] |
Cannons | |||||||
GAU-22 (4 barrels variant of the GAU-12 Equalizer) | GAU-22/A | ![]() | ![]() | Rotary cannon, 25×137 mm | F-35A Lightning II | 46 | [79] [51] 1 gun per F-35A in service. |
Model | Image | Origin | Type | Used with | Quantity | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Knight Aerospace-Advanced aeromedical evacuation system | — | ![]() | MEDEVAC, roll-on / roll-off modular system Medical evacuation | Embraer C-390 Millenium | 5 | [80] Ordered in June 2025 with Austria (who ordered 4 systems). |
Model | Variant | Image | Origin | Type | Used with | Quantity | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tactical / short range missiles | |||||||
AGM-114 Hellfire II | AGM-114K | ![]() | ![]() | Air-to-ground missile | AH-64E Apache | 605 | [81] [82] Up to 16 missiles, 4 mounts with a 4 missiles launcher system. [81] |
AGM-114R | 350 | [85] This followed the request for 180 missiles by the Netherlands in 2013. An additional request for 70 missiles was approved in 2017. [89] [90] | |||||
AGM-114R2 | 386 | [91] Order in February 2024. [92] | |||||
AGM-179 JAGM Joint Air-to-Ground Missile | AGM-179A | ![]() | ![]() | Air-to-surface missile | AH-64E Apache | 296 | [93] [94] Ordered in June 2025. |
Rockets | |||||||
Hydra 70 | — | ![]() | ![]() | Unguided rockers | AH-64E Apache | Unknown | [81] [82] Up to 76 (4×19) ready-to-fire rockets, 4 × M261 launchers, one under each mount. |
AGR-20 APKWS Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System | WGU-59 APKWS-2 | ![]() | ![]() | Laser guidance kit for unguided rockers | AH-64E Apache | 1,100 | [81] [82] |
Canons | |||||||
M230 Chain Gun | — | ![]() | ![]() | Electrically-driven autocannon | AH-64E Apache | 28 | [101] [102] The Apache is equipped with 1,200 ready-to-fire rounds of the 30×113mm calibre. |
Small arms | |||||||
FN M3M / GAU-21 | — | ![]() | ![]() | Door machine gun, 12.7×99mm NATO | CH-47F Chinook | Unknown | [103] |
FN MAG | — | ![]() | ![]() | Door machine gun, 7.62×51mm NATO | AS532 U2 Cougar | Unknown | [106] [103] |
Torpedoes | |||||||
Mark 46 | Mk 46 Mod 5 | ![]() | ![]() | Antisubmarine lightweight torpedo | NH90 NFH | Unknown | [105] [108] Up to 2 torpedoes can be mounted on the NH90 NFH. [105] This torpedo is planned to be replaced at the end of the 2020s, and will replace it with the Mark 54. [109] |
Mark 54 | — | ![]() | ![]() | Antisubmarine lightweight torpedo | NH90 NFH | 0 | [109] Mark 54 torpedo will enter service on the NH90 after its MLU between 2028 and 2032. [109] |
Model | Image | Origin | Type | Quantity | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Radar | |||||
Thales GM400α | ![]() | ![]() | Mobile long-range radar system | 1 | [110] Temporary solution (reserve unit) until both of the SMART-L radar stations are operational. |
Thales SMART-L | ![]() | ![]() | Ground radar station | 1 | [111] 1 operational (North), second planned (South) |
Model | Image | Origin | Type | Quantity | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Armoured vehicle | |||||
Iveco Manticore | ![]() | ![]() | Infantry mobility vehicle, MRAP Mine-resistant ambush protected | 94 | 94 in total for the Air Force: [112]
|
Utility vehicles | |||||
Volkswagen Amarok | ![]() | ![]() | Dog transport / Security personnel transport | 8 | [113] Used at the Gilze-Rijen, Leeuwarden and Volkel air bases. |
Logistics | |||||
Scania XT "Gryphus" 4×4 Low Operational 50 kN (5 tons) [114] | ![]() | ![]() | Truck | 123 | [115] |
Scania XT "Gryphus" 6×6 Low Operational 100 kN (10 tons) [114] | ![]() | ||||
Scania XT "Gryphus" 8×8 High Operational 100 kN (10 tons) [114] | ![]() | ||||
Scania XT "Gryphus" 6×6 Low Operational 150 kN (15 tons) [114] | ![]() | 68 | [115] 26 of these vehicles can be used for deicing the runways and taxiways. | ||
Firefighting trucks | |||||
E-One Titan 8×8 | ![]() | ![]() | Airport crash tender | 25 | [116] |
Rosenbauer- Mercedes-Benz Atego 1529 | — | ![]() | Fire engine | — | [117] [118] |
Rosenbauer - Mercedes Actros 2965 6×6 | ![]() | ![]() | Fire engine | 5 | [119] Intended to be used to protect FARP (Forward Arming and Refueling Point). |
Rosenbauer - Scania P450B 6×6 HZ | — | ![]() | Fire engine | — | [117] Intended to be used to protect FARP (Forward Arming and Refueling Point). |
Rosenbauer RT | ![]() | ![]() | Fire engine | 2 | [120] [121] Volvo Penta electric driveline |
Fire command vehicles | |||||
Nissan Navara (D40) | ![]() | ![]() | On scene command vehicle | 2 | [122] |
Škoda Yeti | | ![]() | Command vehicle | 10 | [123] 2 of the 10 used by the Navy |
Fuel trucks | |||||
Volvo FM | ![]() | ![]() | Aircraft refueling truck | Unknown | [124] [125] 30 m3 capacity |
Mercedes-Benz Actros 4×4 | ![]() | ![]() | Aircraft refueling truck | Unknown | [126] 4 m3 capacity |
Maintenance vehicles | |||||
Valtra G135 | ![]() | ![]() | Tractor | 13 | [127] [128] To be used for airfield maintenance |
Model | Image | Origin | Type | Calibre | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Handguns | |||||
Glock 17 Gen4 | ![]() | ![]() | Semi-automatic pistol | 9×19mm Parabellum | [129] |
Assault rifles, carabines and battle rifles | |||||
Canadian Diemaco C7A1 | ![]() | ![]() | Assault rifle | 5.56×45mm NATO | [130] It can be equipped with:
|
Canadian Diemaco C8A1 | ![]() | Carbine | |||
Heckler & Koch 416 A5 | ![]() | ![]() | Carbine | 5.56×45mm NATO | [131] Equipped with, red dot sight 4.3× Elcan, laser light modules LLM01 |
Precision rifles | |||||
Heckler & Koch HK417 | ![]() | ![]() | Designated marksman rifle | 7.62×51mm NATO | [131] Accessories:
|
Machine guns | |||||
FN Minimi Para | ![]() | ![]() | Light machine gun | 5.56×45mm NATO | [132] Standard infantry machine gun. |
FN MAG | ![]() | ![]() | General-purpose machine gun | 7.62×51mm NATO | [133] Mounted on vehicles and shooting positions. |
Grenade launchers | |||||
Heckler & Koch UGL | ![]() | ![]() | Under-barrel grenade launcher | 40×46mm LV | [131] [134] |
Anti-tank weapons | |||||
Panzerfaust 3 | ![]() | ![]() | RPG Rocket-propelled grenade | 110mm | [135] Standard Marine infantryAT weapon. Ammunitions:
Accessories:
|
Weapon stations | |||||
FN deFNder | ![]() | ![]() | Remote controlled weapon station | 7.62×51mm NATO | Installed on the Iveco MTV hard-top, equipped with the FN MAG. [136] |