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Dutch F-35s Down Russian $10K Drones in Poland With $2.8M AIM-9X Missiles
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![Photo of Roman Kohanets]( "Photo of Roman Kohanets")
-111f0e5095e02c02446ffed57bfb0ab1.jpeg "Photo of Roman Kohanets")
Dutch F-35 fighter jets intercepted and destroyed Russian Gerbera drones that crossed into Polish airspace using AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles, Clash Report reported on September 10.
The engagement underscores a major cost disparity between the systems. Each Gerbera drone is estimated at about $10,000, while a single AIM-9X missile costs approximately $2.8 million—a ratio of around 280 to 1.
This engagement took place amid a broader scenario: Russia launched a large-scale drone strike on Ukraine—comprising over 400 drones and dozens of missiles—that spilled into NATO territory, marking the first direct military engagement by alliance aircraft in the war. Poland reported that at least 19 drones violated its airspace overnight, with some entering from Belarus, prompting a robust NATO response.
While NATO and Polish authorities did not comment on the details of the drone shootdowns, Dutch F-35s regularly conduct alliance patrols along the eastern flank, armed with advanced air-to-air missiles as part of NATO’s integrated air defense.
Earlier, it was reported that Germany rejected Moscow’s claim that Russian drones breaching Polish airspace overnight were the result of a “navigation error,” insisting they were “clearly set on this course” and signaling that Berlin and its NATO allies will deliver a firm response.
