Belgium will transfer all its F-16 aircraft to Ukraine once it has received the F-35s
Belgium may transfer its entire fleet of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine once the country has taken delivery of its F-35s. This was announced by Belgian Defence Minister Theo Franken ahead of the NATO defence ministers’ meeting in Brussels.
According to him, Ukraine will receive seven Belgian F-16s as early as this year. Four of them are being used to train Ukrainian aircraft technicians and are no longer airworthy. The remaining three aircraft are still operational and will be used to carry out missions in Ukrainian airspace.
“This year, we will assist them by transferring seven F-16s. That is, this year there will be seven F-16s: four for spare parts, and three to operate in Ukrainian airspace to defend Ukraine against Russian aggression,” said Theo Franken.
The minister emphasised that the F-16 is an effective platform for countering missile threats, particularly cruise missiles.
According to Franken, he plans to propose to the Belgian government that all available F-16s be transferred to Ukraine over the coming years.
“I will propose to the government that we transfer all our F-16s to Ukraine over the coming years. This depends on when we will have the F-35s, because, of course, we have DCA capabilities and play a role in NATO’s nuclear doctrine, so we need to receive the F-35s first before we can transfer the F-16s,” he noted.
According to Belgian media reports, Ukraine is hoping to receive confirmation of the previously promised transfer of Belgian fighter jets during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Brussels.
The newspaper De Morgen, citing informed sources, reports that following the transfer of seven aircraft this year, Belgium may transfer a further 20 or so F-16s in 2027 and 2028. The remaining fighter jets may be transferred by 2030, once the Belgian Air Force has completed its re-equipment with F-35 aircraft.
At present, according to the newspaper, no final decision has been taken on the transfer of a further 23 aircraft. This issue may be considered at a later date as part of decisions on further military aid to Ukraine.
Theo Franken also stated that he is looking forward to meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the office of Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever.
