Belgium to Deliver F-16 Jets to Ukraine No Earlier Than One Year
Belgium has announced that the transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine will begin no earlier than a year from now, until the new F-35s are ready for operational use.
The Gaze reports on it, referring to Deutsche Welle.
Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken explained that the schedule for the transfer of 30 F-16s, provided for in a bilateral agreement until 2028, depends on the commissioning of new American F-35s ordered by Belgium.
“This is a very important stage, and I always explain this to Ukrainians. This cannot be changed. We will transfer them as quickly as we can,” the Minister emphasized.
The first three F-35s arrived at the Belgian airbase in Flourens on October 13, and it will take about a year and a half to fully master the technology.
Francken stressed that the delay in the transfer of the F-16s is due to the critical role of Belgium's national defense aviation capabilities in NATO, especially in the context of nuclear deterrence.
He also recalled that Belgium actively supports Ukraine through funding, arms supplies, pilot training, and technical assistance.
According to him, in 2025, Belgium provided Ukraine with military aid worth one billion euros and made an additional contribution of 100 million euros to the PURL (Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List) initiative.
“We are also training pilots for the F-16, providing 155 mm shells, machine guns, ammunition, maritime support, including the transfer of one of our minesweepers, IT assistance, and electronic warfare,” Franken said.
Read more on The Gaze: Ukraine’s Post-War Aviation: From Soviet Legacy to Next-Generation Aircraft