Dutch Parliament Approves Export of 24 F-16 Fighter Jets to Ukraine - First Aircraft to Arrive Soon

The Netherlands has authorised the export of 24 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. The first aircraft will arrive soon. A letter was published by the House of Representatives. The letter states that Amsterdam is transferring 24 F-16 fighter jets and seven engines for these aircraft to Kyiv. It is noted that "the first aircraft will be delivered soon".  The document states that "within the framework of the international coalition, no details on this delivery are currently being provided".

"We inform your chamber that the necessary permission to export military equipment to Ukraine has been granted," the letter from the Dutch Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren reads.

Earlier, the Dutch Ministry of Defence promised to deliver the first batch of F-16s to Ukraine in late summer.

On 19 May 2203, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced that the United States was ready to approve training for Ukrainian pilots on F-16s.

Washington confirmed that it could provide the aircraft to Kyiv, but on the condition that it does not attack Russian territory. On 22 May 2023, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said that supplying Ukraine with F-16s was a priority. 

Ukraine's partners began implementing the plan a few months later.

The next day, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that Western allies would determine individually when to start training Ukrainian pilots on F-16s.

Following this, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the Netherlands would provide Kyiv with 42 aircraft. The planes will be sent after the conditions are met, including the provision of the necessary infrastructure and the completion of pilot training.