Two Dutch F-35 fighter jets were scrambled from Volkel Air Base on Friday morning after a Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) was triggered, the Royal Netherlands Air Force said.
The alarm was issued when an unidentified aircraft or object entered Benelux airspace without proper identification. The Ministry of Defence said the operation was still ongoing on Friday afternoon and declined to release further details.
A spokesperson stressed that a QRA does not necessarily indicate a hostile threat. “It’s an unknown object in the airspace, and we investigate that,” they said.
Residents were warned that the F-35s may have broken the sound barrier during the scramble, potentially causing sonic booms.
The Netherlands resumed responsibility for the Benelux QRA last week, alternating the rapid-response duty with Belgium. Under the protocol, fighter jets can be airborne within minutes to intercept unidentified aircraft, using visual checks and international hand signals to determine intent.
The alert comes amid an increase in drone sightings around Volkel Air Base. On 22 November, ground personnel attempted to shoot down drones over the base before they departed the area. Similar drone incidents were also reported at Eindhoven Airport, where air traffic was suspended for several hours.
The Defence Ministry said an update on Friday’s interception would follow once the operation concludes.