Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has announced that his country will transfer ten F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine by the end of 2026. The statement followed a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Brussels, as reported by RBC-Ukraine and the Belgian agency Belga.

Meeting Context

According to De Wever, Kyiv needs combat-ready fighter jets to defend against Russian strike drones. “Ukraine urgently needs combat-ready fighter jets, and we can make our contribution,” the Belgian Prime Minister emphasized. He noted that the issue of F-16 aircraft was “obviously” discussed during the bilateral meeting, but did not disclose other details of the conversation.

Why the Timeline Shifted

Belgium is transferring its aging fleet of F-16s to Ukraine as these aircraft are replaced by new F-35 fighters. Initially, the plan was to supply 30 jets by 2028, but the schedule directly depends on the pace of F-35 deliveries. “We have fallen slightly behind due to longer delays related to the F-35. We will deliver 10 this year,” De Wever specified.

Ammunition and EU Support

Ammunition for the F-16s, produced by the Belgian company FN Herstal, was discussed separately at the meeting. De Wever also voiced his support for Kyiv and noted that, in his view, the EU should continue helping Ukraine, adding that he is ready to discuss this matter at the bloc level.

Discrepancies in Aircraft Status Assessment

At the same time, Belgian public broadcaster VRT previously reported that four fighter jets formally transferred to the Ukrainian side actually remain in Belgian hangars and, due to wear and tear, are suitable at best for spare parts. According to media reports, delivery dates have been postponed repeatedly: as early as May 2024, authorities promised to begin the transfer by the end of that same year.

What's Next

It was previously reported that Belgium plans to soon finalize the agreement to transfer three more F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, which requires approval from France. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in turn, noted that the supplied aviation helps the country combat jet-powered Shahed drones.