During the most recent meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG), held in Brussels and attended by more than 50 countries, the Netherlands confirmed the transfer of another batch of F-16 fighter jets to the Ukrainian Air Force. The announcement was made by the country’s Minister of Defense, Ruben Brekelmans, who also reported the delivery of a Patriot system and new commitments to supply I-Hawk air defense systems, aimed at strengthening Kyiv’s ability to withstand Russian attacks.

It is worth recalling that, together with Denmark and Norway, the Netherlands has pledged a total of 65 U.S.-made F-16 MLU fighter jets to Ukraine (24 of them coming from the Dutch Air Force), which are being phased out and replaced by the more advanced F-35 Lightning II stealth aircraft. Along with the aircraft, a significant package of spare parts and supplies has also been delivered to ensure that the Ukrainian Air Force can properly maintain them—an aid package previously valued at over $550 million.

It is also important to note that this announcement comes just days after the confirmed downing of a second Ukrainian F-16 in combat, officially acknowledged on April 12. This is a significant development, considering that as Ukraine’s inventory of aircraft grows and pilot training—conducted by multiple European allies—progresses, Kyiv has opted to give these fighter jets a more prominent role in combat missions. This marks a notable enhancement for an air force that had long relied on aging MiG-29s, Su-27s, and Su-24s, many of which have been in service for decades.

Returning to the announcements made by Minister Brekelmans, it should also be noted that the Netherlands intends to carry out the transfer of a batch of medium-range I-Hawk air defense systems. This package, officially valued at approximately 150 million euros, will be delivered in cooperation with the United Kingdom, responding to Ukraine’s urgent calls for enhanced air surveillance and defense platforms.

The minister commented on the situation as follows: “Two weeks ago, I saw with my own eyes the massive destruction caused by Russian airstrikes in Dnipropetrovsk. Civilians and innocent children are targeted every day. These systems save lives and are therefore invaluable to the Ukrainian people. With this, we are also answering President Zelensky’s call.”

In technical terms, the I-Hawk systems in question will provide Kyiv with significant capability to neutralize a wide range of aerial threats, with an estimated engagement range of up to 40 kilometers and an altitude ceiling of 18 kilometers. The missiles they employ are equipped with high-explosive fragmentation warheads that maximize destructive impact, allowing them to intercept aircraft, ballistic missiles, and unmanned systems. Additionally, they feature substantial detection capabilities, including high-power AN/MPQ-51 radars and AN/MPQ-50 pulse acquisition radars—both enhanced with electronic warfare elements to improve resistance against enemy jamming.

Finally, it should be highlighted that during the UDCG meetings, the Dutch delegation signed a new letter of intent with their Norwegian counterparts to strengthen the defense of the European region known as the “High North”—which includes the Nordic countries, Arctic regions, and the Baltic states. This agreement will allow both nations’ forces to advance new cooperation mechanisms and paves the way for an increased deployment of Dutch troops on Norwegian territory.

Images used for illustrative purposes only.

You may also like: The Ukrainian Air Force is stepping up the deployment of its F-16 fighter jets in combat operations, according to the head of the U.S. European Command