In 2026–2027, the Netherlands will receive a new generation of air-to-ground missiles for its Apache attack helicopters. It is the AGM-179A Joint Air-to-Ground Missile, JAGM for short. This makes the Netherlands the first country outside the United States to deploy this weapon system operationally. That is notable, because the JAGM is regarded as one of the most versatile and future-oriented precision missiles currently available.
The purchase fits into the broader modernisation of the Royal Netherlands Air Force and at the same time shows how close military cooperation with the United States is, particularly within NATO. For example, the Netherlands is the only country in the world taking part in the CCA programme of the US, for which two drones have currently been selected: the YFQ-42A from General Atomics and the YFQ-44A (also called Fury) from Anduril. The Netherlands is also buying ultra-modern missiles for the F-35 from the United States.
Video: the JAGM missile is tested from a ground launch unit. In the future, this missile will also be fired from ships and vehicles.
A strategic purchase
In June 2025, the US government gave the green light for the sale of 296 JAGM missiles to the Netherlands through the Foreign Military Sales programme. The agreement covers not only the operational missiles, but also training variants, spare parts, technical support and training. The total value of the package is about 215 million dollars, roughly 186 million euros.
For the Netherlands, this is no symbolic step. The AH-64E Apache is a core capability of the armed forces and is used for anti-tank combat, protecting ground troops and precision strikes in complex and rapidly changing situations. With the JAGM, this platform gets a weapon that better fits the modern battlefield.
What kind of missile is the JAGM?
The JAGM was developed as the successor to the Hellfire, a missile that was the standard weapon for attack helicopters and drones for decades. The new system is designed to take out both stationary and moving targets with high precision, ranging from tanks and armoured vehicles to fortified buildings and light naval vessels.
Its most important technical feature is the dual seeker. The missile combines a semi-active laser seeker with a millimetre-wave radar. This allows the crew to decide per situation which guidance is most suitable, or to use both at the same time. That makes the JAGM usable in bad weather, smoke, dust and in environments where the enemy tries to jam sensors. See below how a US Navy helicopter fires this missile at a moving target at sea.
The legacy of the Hellfire
The Hellfire was the workhorse of Western air forces for years. Tens of thousands were produced and they were used intensively in Afghanistan and Iraq. Apache helicopters, but also drones such as the Predator and Reaper, relied on this weapon for targeted strikes.
Although the Hellfire amply proved its worth, the system was based on different variants, each with its own type of guidance. That made logistics and use more complex. The JAGM brings those capabilities together in one missile and is thus a logical, but also clear step forward.
Why the JAGM is a clear improvement
The strength of the JAGM lies above all in flexibility and future-proofing. Thanks to the combination of radar and laser, the missile is less dependent on ideal conditions and better able to withstand countermeasures. Where older systems could lose their effectiveness in smoke or electronic interference, the JAGM in many cases remains usable.
In addition, the missile is largely compatible with existing Hellfire launch systems. That limits costs and makes a relatively quick transition possible, without major changes to helicopters or infrastructure.
Image: Lockheed Martin.
Also aimed at threats from the air
An interesting aspect is that, based on recent test launches, Lockheed Martin expects to make a few more software updates to further improve the JAGM’s performance against drones. The rapid rise of unmanned systems has changed the role of precision missiles, and the JAGM is explicitly seen as a weapon that can also be effective in that domain.
According to the manufacturer, all existing capabilities are retained. The missile can continue to engage moving ground vehicles and naval ships with its dual seeker, consisting of radar and laser. In test environments, Lockheed has also experimented with a third seeker based on infrared technology. That is not yet standard operationally, but shows the design offers room for further growth.
The launch platform remains crucial, however. As long as a helicopter, drone or other platform has an adequate targeting and sensor system, the JAGM should be able to tackle a wide range of targets: from drones and tanks to ships. That makes the weapon potentially usable in almost any domain.
International significance
The United States sees the JAGM as its standard air-to-ground missile for the coming decades and plans to acquire tens of thousands. Other NATO countries have also received approval to purchase it, but the Netherlands leads the way as the first foreign user.
That strengthens interoperability within NATO. Dutch Apaches will soon be able to work seamlessly with American units using the same weapon system, with the same tactics and ammunition.
What this means for the Netherlands
With the arrival of the JAGM, the Netherlands is not only acquiring a new missile, but also a weapon that can grow with future threats. For Apache crews, this means more freedom of choice, greater reliability and a higher chance of survival in complex scenarios.
