Two Dutch F-35 fighter jets shot down several practice drones over the Baltic Sea yesterday. They did this by firing AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. It was a training exercise in controlled airspace initiated by the Netherlands and Estonia.

The Baltic state provided the drones. For the pilots, it was an excellent opportunity to train tactics. For example, disabling multiple drones at once. So-called counter-drone missions are part of the Dutch F-35 task package within NATO.

It is important to train the downing of unmanned systems ‘live’. They pose a real threat as they are increasingly used as weapons.

This was also evident last week when the Dutch F-35s helped secure Polish airspace in response to a large Russian attack with missiles and drones on Ukraine, which borders Poland.

Since late last year, the air force has stationed 4 F-35s in Estonia to keep Russian aircraft outside NATOs eastern flank. The detachment consists of between 90 to 150 military personnel. The Dutch fighter jets have already been active 10 times to intercept Russian aircraft, identifying a total of 18.