---
title: "Belgium changes strategy: Ukraine to receive seven F-16s, including three combat-ready aircraft"
description: "Belgium changes its aid strategy for Ukraine: instead of four \"donors,\" it will transfer seven F-16s, three of which are combat-ready. Defense Minister Theo Francken announced plans to completely phase out the F-16 fleet in favor of Kyiv, but actual deliveries are currently stuck in repair shops. ✈️🇺🇦🇧🇪"
date: 2026-06-18T08:32:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/belgium-changes-strategy-ukraine-to-receive-seven-f-16s-including-combat-ready-aircraft
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Belgium changes strategy: Ukraine to receive seven F-16s, including three combat-ready aircraft

![F-16 fighter jet in flight, to be transferred to Ukraine from Belgium](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/18/belgiya-peredaet-ukraine-sem-f-16-vkluchaya-boevye/belgiya-peredaet-ukraine-sem-f-16-vkluchaya-boevye-1.webp)

Belgium has significantly revised its plans for military aid to Ukraine, deciding to transfer seven F-16 fighter jets by the end of 2026. This was announced by the Kingdom's Minister of Defense, Theo Francken, while speaking to journalists ahead of the NATO Defense Ministers' meeting.

### Change of tactics: from spare parts to combat missions

Previously, Brussels had promised to provide only four non-combat-ready aircraft, which were intended to serve as sources of spare parts for other fighters. Now, the plan has changed: of the seven aircraft to be transferred, three will be fully ready for combat missions, while four will be used for parts. This decision aims to strengthen Ukraine's air defense.

Minister Francken emphasized that the F-16 has proven itself as an effective platform for combating "Shahed"-type drones and cruise missiles. That is why the transfer of serviceable, combat-ready aircraft has become a priority.

### Complete phase-out of the F-16 fleet

In the long term, Belgium intends to transfer its entire fleet of F-16 fighters to Ukraine. According to Francken, this decision will depend on when the country receives new F-35 aircraft. Currently, the Belgian Air Force has more than 40 F-16s in service, which play a key role in national defense and the nuclear doctrine.

"I will propose to the government to transfer all F-16s to Ukraine in the coming years," the minister stated, noting that Belgium is obliged to fulfill its role in defending the skies.

### Delivery issues

Despite the new promises, actual deliveries have not yet begun. Belgium and Norway, which were supposed to transfer 36 fighters together, are delaying the process. The aircraft promised by Norway are in an aviation repair shop in Belgium, where their restoration has effectively stalled. Belgium itself has not transferred a single aircraft in three years, justifying this by stating that specific delivery dates for Kyiv were never specified.