Belgium to deliver 30 F-16 fighters to Ukraine by 2028

Belgian Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft.

Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib announced yesterday that Belgium will supply Ukraine with 30 F-16 fighter jets by 2028. The first of these planes is expected to be delivered by the end of the year. They will be delivered with a certain amount of related weapons.

This announcement marks a decisive shift in Belgian policy, as the government had previously refrained from making specific commitments regarding the number and timing of aircraft to be supplied. The commitment was formalized yesterday during the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj to Brussels.

Belgium pledged last year to supply F-16 jets to Kiev as did the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway. The delivery of the Belgian aircraft to Ukraine will take place progressively over the next 4 years. The first aircraft will be transferred as soon as Belgium receives the first F-35 fighters to replace the aging Fighting Falcon fleet.

Lahbib stressed that this support is essential to block the expansionist aims of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who according to her is determined to withdraw the borders of European countries, and to guarantee the security of Belgium.

Written by Matteo Sanzani