Francken announces that Belgium has already decided to transfer more fighter jets to the Ukrainian Armed Forces than it had previously promised.<\/p>\n
“On Ukraine, we are stepping up even more on the help. We are delivering 7 F-16s this year\u20144 for spare parts and 3 to operate in the sky of Ukraine, to defend Ukraine against Russian aggression,” he says.<\/p>\n
Previously, Belgium had promised to transfer only four non-combat-ready fighter jets to Ukraine, to be used as a source of spare parts for other F-16s.<\/p>\n
Brussels had planned to transfer the aircraft in 2025\u20132026, but so far, no start date for the deliveries has been announced.<\/p>\n
The Belgian Minister states that he considers it important to also transfer operational fighter jets, as they have proven to be a good platform against Shaheds and cruise missiles.<\/p>\n
According to him, the Belgian Ministry of Defense plans to significantly increase the volume of deliveries.<\/p>\n
“I will propose to the government to send all our F-16s to Ukraine in the coming years. It depends on having the F-35s in place because, of course, we have DCA (defensive counter-air – ed.) capacity. We have our role in the nuclear doctrine of NATO,” Francken adds.<\/p>\n
Currently, the Belgian Air Force has, according to various sources, more than 40 F-16 aircraft in service.<\/p>\n
Delays in F-16 deliveries<\/p>\n
Belgium and Norway are delaying the delivery of 36 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, which accounts for nearly half of the total number of aircraft promised.<\/p>\n