KLM and Dutch Defense sign deal for joint aviation efforts

KLM and the Dutch Ministry of Defense have formalized a new agreement aimed at expanding their collaboration both in the air and on the ground. Signed today in Hangar 14, the agreement includes a provision for KLM pilots to serve voluntarily as reservists for the Royal Netherlands Air Force, specifically to support training on the F-35 fighter jet.

 

This step marks a strategic strengthening of the long-standing partnership between civil and military aviation sectors in the Netherlands. The two parties have worked together for years in areas such as repatriation flights, logistics, and knowledge exchange.

State Secretary of Defense Gijs Tuinman underscored the urgency of the initiative:

“The world around us is becoming less secure, and the armed forces face major challenges. Collaborating with the private sector is essential to boosting resilience. I welcome this step forward with KLM.”

KLM CEO Marjan Rintel highlighted the dual benefits of the partnership:

“We are proud to contribute to national resilience. This agreement gives our pilots a chance to serve in a meaningful way, while also reinforcing KLM’s reputation as an innovative and responsible employer.”

As part of the new arrangement, KLM is allocating the equivalent of five full-time pilot roles (FTEs), to be distributed across a larger group of pilots who volunteer for Defense duties. These pilots—mainly at the start of their KLM careers—may assist in training and maintaining readiness among F-35 operators.

In addition, KLM and the Ministry of Defense are exploring new areas for collaboration, including technical training, recruitment, MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) activities, and air transport logistics. The specifics of these initiatives will be further developed in the coming months.

The agreement is a significant signal of intent to bridge the gap between commercial and military aviation in a rapidly changing global security landscape.