Belgium plans to deliver 10 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine by end of 2026, up from three
Belgium plans to deliver 10 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine by the end of 2026, an increase from the three aircraft previously expected this year, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever said during talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Brussels.
"We will supply 10 this year. We have fallen a little behind because of delays with the F-35s, but those are now starting to arrive, which will enable us to send F-16s to Ukraine," De Wever said, according to Anadolu Agency.
Belgium's transfer of F-16s has been delayed because the country received its replacement US-made F-35 fighters later than anticipated.
De Wever said Ukraine urgently needed operational fighter aircraft, describing F-16s as among the few weapons capable of effectively countering Russian jet-powered drones.
Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine expected additional F-16s from Belgium before the end of the year and thanked Brussels for the arrangements.
The leaders also discussed the possibility of Belgium supplying additional ammunition for the fighters, including munitions manufactured by Belgian defense company FN Herstal.
Their talks covered Ukraine's financial needs, although De Wever did not specify whether they had discussed using frozen Russian assets held at Belgium-based financial institution Euroclear.
In September, Zelenskyy had said Belgium would deliver three F-16 fighter jets by the end of 2026 under an accelerated arrangement. The latest announcement raises the expected number to 10.