Possible Production of American Air Defence Ammunition in the Netherlands

A study into the possibility of producing American air defence ammunition in the Netherlands will be carried out next year. The US government approved the feasibility study at the end of last week. 

The study will look into how the Dutch defence industry can contribute to the production, assembly and maintenance of AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles, or AMRAAMs. 

AMRAAMs are advanced air defence weapons that are designed to counter medium-range aerial threats such as manned and unmanned aircraft and cruise missiles. They are carried by F-35 fighters for self-defence and are also used by ground-based air and missile defence units. 

The strategic bilateral cooperation is a first step in AMRAAM co-production with a European NATO partner and will deepen transatlantic defence cooperation. It will also mitigate production shortages. Scaling up production is essential to continuing support for Ukraine and defending NATO territory. A proactive international approach to co-production is in keeping with the Netherlands’ defence strategy for industry and innovation. 

Working with the US and other NATO members, the Netherlands Ministry of Defence intends to contribute to the production and accelerated delivery of AMRAAMs.

Raytheon, the US manufacturer of AMRAAMs, will conduct the feasibility study.