Dutch and Norwegian F-35 fighter jets will be stationed in Poland under NATO command to protect supplies of equipment heading to Ukraine. This announcement was made by the Dutch defense ministry.

The Dutch F-35s will be based in Poland from the start of September to the start of December 2023. This follows a request from NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), as detailed in a statement from the Netherlands’ Ministry of Defense released on Monday.

Dutch Minister of Defense Ruben Brekelmans emphasized the importance of contributing to the defense of NATO territory and European security. He stated, “We are once again doing so with our most advanced capabilities.” Furthermore, he mentioned that deploying the F-35s to monitor airspace above Eastern Europe would help protect military equipment designated for Ukraine.

Brekelmans noted that stationing the jets in Poland allows for a rapid response to violations or potential violations of NATO airspace. He expressed that this deployment is a measure to “keep the Russian threat at bay,” referencing the recent successful deployment of Dutch F-35s in Estonia.

Previously, the Netherlands deployed a detachment of F-35s to Ämari Air Base in Estonia in December for similar air-policing duties. The Dutch force in Poland will work alongside Norwegian F-35s, with both nations combining personnel and material capabilities. This deployment will serve as a quick-reaction alert force, maintaining a 24-hour readiness status.

The jets will operate under direct NATO command, with a transfer of authority throughout the deployment period. Brekelmans emphasized that ensuring the safe transit of military equipment donated by NATO countries to Ukraine is crucial to supporting ground-based activities in the conflict.

The article was authored by Rudy Ruitenberg, a Europe correspondent for Defense News, who has previously worked at Bloomberg News and has expertise in technology, commodity markets, and politics.