Airmen with the Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Command Test Center (AATC) load a Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) on a pre-block F-16 for a test launch. (US Air Force)
BELFAST — The Netherlands has opened talks with the US government to acquire more AGM-158B Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile Extended Range (JASSM-ER) weapons for its fleet of F-35 fifth-generation fighter jets, according to a national defense projects document.
“The Ministry of Defense is procuring additional Deep Precision Strike munitions to replenish operational stocks,” the report said, released on Wednesday. “Discussions with the U.S. government regarding the procurement of these munitions have now begun.”
The program update noted that a Letter of Acceptance has also been signed, allowing “necessary software” to enable deployment of the Lockheed Martin-made missile.
A quantity of weapons, valued at $2.6 million per unit, covering the additional order was not disclosed, but the move to launch talks comes after The Hague and Washington signed a 2024 Letter of Offer and Acceptance to initially acquire the deep strike capability.
