No delays: Belgian PM reveals timeline for Ukraine's F-16 fighter jet deliveries
Belgium will deliver two F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine this year and another two in 2025. No delays are expected in the supply schedule, said Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
De Wever said Belgium had pledged to become the largest supplier of F-16s to Ukraine and would stick to that commitment. Two aircraft intended for spare parts will arrive this year, and two operational jets will be delivered next year. He expressed hope that Belgium could send even more jets once the country receives its new F-35s. He added that there are no delays on the part of Belgium.
According to the Belgian Prime Minister, as soon as Belgium receives F-35s, it can immediately transfer F-16s to Ukraine.
Bart De Wever said that his country would fully honor its commitments, stressing that the promised F-16 fighter jets would be delivered to Ukraine without delay.
F-16 for Ukraine
In 2023, Ukraine and its allies created an aviation coalition aimed at providing Ukraine with F-16 fighters. According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine needs at least 128 F-16 aircraft.
In 2024, Ukraine received the first F-16 fighters from its partners. The first aircraft were handed over to Ukraine by the Netherlands and Denmark.
It is also known that Belgium will provide Ukraine with 30 fighter jets by the end of 2028.
In addition, it was recently reported that Ukraine would receive additional F-16s from its partners. The aircraft are already being prepared for delivery.
