Belgium intends to transfer seven F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine by the end of this year. This was reported to journalists on Thursday by Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken, according to UNN.
Regarding Ukraine, we are strengthening our assistance. We will help them with the supply of seven F-16s this year. So there will be seven F-16s this year – four for spare parts, and three for operations in the skies of Ukraine to protect Ukraine from Russian aggression,
He added that he plans to propose to the Belgian government to send Ukraine "all of our F-16s in the coming years," but clarified that "everything depends on the availability of F-35s, as we must, of course, maintain our operational capability."
"We have an assigned role in NATO's nuclear doctrine. Therefore, we need to have F-35s before we can deliver F-16s. But the first F-16s will arrive," he indicated.
Francken also announced a meeting with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy later in Belgium.
Belgium has not yet transferred any of the promised F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine07.03.26, 19:05