Belgium to hand over seven F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine by the end of the year

Francken said that the F-16s are effective not only in combating drones but also in intercepting cruise missiles and other aerial threats.

“This year, we will help by transferring seven F-16s. Four jets for spare parts, three for operation in the Ukrainian skies to defend Ukraine from Russian aggression and Shahed drones,” he said.

The Belgian minister also added he would offer the government to transfer all F-16s from Belgium to Ukraine in the coming years. According to him, this will depend on the Belgian Air Force receiving new F-35 fighter jets.

“We have to receive the F-35 before we can transfer the F-16s, because we have to ensure our own air defence and fulfil Belgium’s role in NATO’s nuclear deterrence. Therefore, we should first receive the F-35s, and only then can we transfer the F-16s,” Francken said.

He also announced a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Brussels.

F-16 from Belgium

Earlier, in December 2023, Belgium announced that it would transfer 30 of its F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. It agreed to transfer its F-16s to Ukraine, as it had bought the next-generation F-35 jets.

The first jets were supposed to be transferred by the end of 2024. Defence Minister Ludivine Dedonder assured that this would happen “as soon as possible.”

However, Ukraine has not yet received a single F-16 fighter jet from Belgium. The Belgian Ministry of Defence cited the delay in the delivery of new F-35s to Belgium as the main reason. The country wants to hand over the old F-16s only after they are replaced by new jets. Since the replacement will take place later than expected, the transfer of the F-16s to Ukraine is also being postponed.

The country also noted that a fixed date for the transfer of the F-16s to Ukraine was never promised.