Dutch F-35 Gets Kill Mark After First NATO Drone Shootdown

 

 

 

A Dutch F-35 stealth fighter has made NATO history by downing Russian drones that breached Polish airspace, marking the first time alliance aircraft have destroyed Russian assets in NATO territory. Photos released by the Netherlands’ Ministry of Defense show the jet sporting a new drone-shaped kill marking beneath its cockpit — a nod to the longstanding military tradition of marking victories on combat aircraft.

 

The defense ministry confirmed that the symbol was added after the F-35 intercepted and eliminated multiple drones in September, though it declined to disclose the exact number of kills. The distinctive marking resembles the triangular Delta-wing design of Russian one-way attack drones, which have been increasingly used in the war in Ukraine.

 

Kill markings on fighter aircraft date back to World War I, when pilots displayed symbols to track aerial victories. The practice continues today; U.S. Navy Super Hornets, for example, were recently seen with markings after operations against Iran-backed Houthis in the Red Sea.

 

While the shootdown demonstrates NATO’s ability to defend its airspace, it also highlights a growing strategic challenge: the imbalance between high-cost jets and munitions and the relatively cheap drones they are being tasked to destroy. Military analysts warn that consistently using advanced stealth fighters against low-cost threats risks putting NATO at a long-term disadvantage, underscoring the urgency of developing more affordable counter-drone systems.

 

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, NATO aircraft — including Dutch F-35s — have routinely scrambled in response to Russian military flights near alliance borders. However, the recent incident over Poland stands out as the first time NATO fighters have actually engaged and destroyed Russian aircraft, signaling an escalation in both defense operations and symbolic messaging from the alliance.

 

Key Takeaways

• A Dutch F-35 scored NATO’s first air-to-air kill against Russian drones.

• Photos show a new drone-shaped kill marking painted on the stealth jet.

• The incident raises concerns about the cost of using advanced jets to counter cheap drones.

 

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They need to add some detail...  How much did the drone cost and how much did they spend on the mission?

 

Are they shooting million dollar missiles at $1000 drones?  

 

3 hours ago, impulse said:

They need to add some detail...  How much did the drone cost and how much did they spend on the mission?

 

Are they shooting million dollar missiles at $1000 drones?  

 

If you are going to take the accountants "red pencil" approach:

What were the targets for the drones?

What would have been the economic losses to Poland if those targets had been hit, damaged or destroyed?

How much would it have cost to repair, rebuild or replace those targets - bear in mind the need to establish, fund and maintain adequate air defence systems to prevent them being destroyed again.

What monetory value does one ascribe to the civilian lives which might have been lost if the drones had reached their targets?

 

Modern warfare is a very, very expensive business, particularly air warfare. But losing a war is probably even more expensive!

 

Well done the Cloggies!

 

 

45 minutes ago, JAG said:

If you are going to take the accountants "red pencil" approach:

What were the targets for the drones?

What would have been the economic losses to Poland if those targets had been hit, damaged or destroyed?

How much would it have cost to repair, rebuild or replace those targets - bear in mind the need to establish, fund and maintain adequate air defence systems to prevent them being destroyed again.

What monetory value does one ascribe to the civilian lives which might have been lost if the drones had reached their targets?

 

Modern warfare is a very, very expensive business, particularly ariel warfare. But losing a war is probably even more expensive!

 

You make good points, and I admit that my reply was pretty flippant.  

 

My biggest concern is the possibility of an accident or a false flag operation sparking off WW3.  If Russkies are deliberately sending over armed drones to attack Poland, of course they need to shoot them down. 

 

But I'd hate to see Armageddon start over a drone going off course (by accident or by deliberate radio interference) or a Ukrainian false flag trying to get NATO involved by sending a drone over the Polish border by way of Russkie airspace.