Ukraine Will Receive 85 F-16s from European allies

Belgium says it will supply Ukraine with 30 F-16 fighters by 2028, with the first examples expected to be handed over this year. While Belgium had previously confirmed that it would participate in the multinational training effort for Ukrainian F-16 pilots, and provide aircraft of the same type to Kyiv, the numbers involved had not been confirmed, while the delivery timeline has also now been accelerated.

“These F-16 jets will be provided to Ukraine as soon as possible. Our aim is to be able to provide the first aircraft before the end of this year, 2024,” De Croo said at a press conference with Zelensky. “We will do everything in our capacity to deliver some aircraft already this year.”

The 30 F-16s — which are becoming available as Belgium replaces them with F-35 stealth jets — are part of “at least €977 million in Belgian military aid to Ukraine this year,” according to Zelensky.

At the latest count, around 85 F-16s have now been committed to Ukraine. These comprise 24 from the Netherlands, 19 from Denmark, and 12 from Norway (with the same country providing 10 more that will be used for spare parts). Ukraine's first F-16 pilots have completed training in Arizona and it's possible the first Vipers could arrive in Ukraine as early as next month.