The RNLAF turns into the primary European air drive to hitch the U.S. Air Power’s CCA initiative, and goals to imagine a number one position within the improvement of the “loyal wingman” drone.
The Royal Netherlands Air Power (RNLAF) has turn into the primary European air drive to formally be part of the U.S. Air Power’s Collaborative Fight Plane (CCA) program. The partnership was sealed on Oct. 16, 2025, when Dutch State Secretary for Protection Gijs Tuinman signed a letter of intent forward of the annual Protection Business Days on the Netherlands’ embassy in Washington, D.C.
“By signing the letter of intent, the Netherlands is demonstrating its need to make progress with innovation and cooperation within the subject of unmanned methods,” says the Dutch Ministry of Protection. The press launch additionally notes becoming a member of the CCA initiative replicate one of many 5 key areas of the brand new Protection Technique for Business and Innovation, launched in April 2025.
The settlement marks a major step in transatlantic protection cooperation, and the Netherlands intends to grab a chance to imagine a number one position within the improvement of future unmanned fight methods, the MoD stated. Unmanned methods are a cornerstone of future functionality improvement, and the nation goals to subject autonomous, attritable “loyal wingman” drones designed to function alongside their F-35s.
“Complete Entry” to the CCA Program
In keeping with Breaking Protection, Tuinman instructed reporters after the signing that the settlement grants the Netherlands “whole entry” to the U.S. Air Power’s CCA program “on all ranges.” He additional defined this might enable Dutch officers to contribute to this system’s improvement section and tailor operational necessities to the European theater.
“We’re actually grateful and have been working exhausting with our U.S. companions and the U.S. Air Power to really get into the CCA program,” Tuinman stated. “It additionally makes the world loads safer if, within the close to future, we are able to truly additionally function CCA-type plane within the European theater.”
In latest months, U.S. distributors engaged on CCA know-how began discussions and agreements with European firms for joint improvement. This follows the elevated curiosity in these platforms, because the autonomous plane can prolong the fight effectiveness of manned fighters by offering further sensors, weapons carriage, and the flexibility to conduct high-risk missions.
Dutch Business Involvement and Future Alternatives
The MoD says the partnership paves the best way, in the long run, for the involvement of Dutch information institutes and firms within the joint analysis, improvement, and testing of CCA applied sciences. Whereas the letter of intent is an preliminary framework, each governments plan to additional outline industrial cooperation and technology-sharing preparations within the coming years.
In keeping with the MoD, the participation of Dutch firms will assist strengthen the nation’s high-tech industrial base, permitting it to contribute to a quickly evolving subject the place the US at present leads improvement.
“US know-how firms are on the forefront of worldwide developments,” the Ministry stated. “By becoming a member of forces with the U.S. Air Power and increase a information base, the Dutch industrial and technological base can even be strengthened.”
Tuinman additionally hinted the brand new partnership could possibly be “a pathway to gross sales for U.S. firms.” He defined there could possibly be a necessity for 1,000 CCAs within the close to future, presumably pairing two drones with a manned fighter.
Parallel Settlement with Common Atomics
Alongside the CCA cooperation, the Dutch Ministry of Protection additionally signed a separate settlement with Common Atomics Aeronautical Techniques, Inc. (GA-ASI) to co-develop a brand new small unmanned plane system (SUAS) able to performing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
In keeping with GA-ASI, the system shall be low-cost, able to internet hosting a spread of payloads, and designed for high-volume manufacturing. As a part of the primary section of the contract, the corporate and the Dutch MoD will work collectively to determine UAS manufacturing functionality.
“This contract is step one in a strategic partnership with the Dutch MoD that may in the end contribute to the protection of Ukraine and NATO by creating a flexible European protection system,” stated GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue. Nevertheless, the hyperlink to Ukraine has not been higher defined.
VDL Defentec — a Dutch protection producer specializing in navy autos and parts — has been chosen because the native accomplice to construct the brand new drone within the Netherlands. GA-ASI will share experience in design, manufacturing, logistics, and assist as a part of the partnership.
In keeping with the statements by the MoD and GA-ASI, the brand new plane is anticipated to fly earlier than the tip of this yr, with low-rate manufacturing starting in 2026 in each the U.S. and the Netherlands. The plane will enter service in 2026.
