Netherlands Requests Up to 479 Sidewinder Missiles from US in 2026 Deal Worth $360 Million
The Netherlands has submitted a request to purchase up to 479 IM-9X Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles from the United States in 2026, with a total value of $360 million. RIA Novosti reported that this request is recorded in documents from the U.S. Department of Defense, the Pentagon.
According to the published documents, the U.S. had also announced a possible sale of up to 392 Sidewinder family missiles to the Netherlands in September 2026, valued at $295 million. These new requests complement previous contracts from the Netherlands for acquiring these missiles from the U.S. in 2022 and 2024.
Sidewinder family missiles are capable of being deployed in air defense systems. The U.S. had previously provided some of this weaponry to Ukraine as part of military aid packages.
In late October 2026, Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten stated that the country is seeking to secure more missiles to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses and is also reviewing international partners’ weapons stockpiles for this purpose.
