Netherlands declares IOC for F-35

The Netherlands has declared initial operating capability (IOC) for its fleet of Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft.

Announced on 27 December, the milestone sees the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) become the 12th global military service to declare its F-35s ready for operations.

“Our F-35 squadron has attained IOC. With this achievement, the Netherlands joins a select group of countries which can rapidly deploy a F-35 unit with associated personnel for a short period of time anywhere in the world,” the RNLAF said.