Netherlands has deployed four F-35A fighter jet to NATO ally Bulgaria (at Graf Ignatievo Air Base) to help with its air-policing tasks amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the defence ministry said on Wednesday.
The Dutch fifth generation aircraft, along with Bulgarian MiG-29 fighter jets, will help protect the airspace of the Black Sea country until May 31, in line with NATO’s integrated plan for air and anti-missile defence.
The mission is implementing measures to ensure the security of Nato member countries on the Eastern Flank and will be implemented under the plans and procedures of the Alliance’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence System (NATINAMDS).
Dutch crews, together with their Bulgarian counterparts, will perform tasks in the area of air duty, interception, visual reconnaissance and escort. For the first time Netherlands Air Force has deployed the F-35A on a operational mission outside the country.
They will replace four Spanish fighter jets that have been supporting airspace surveillance of Bulgaria since the middle of February.