---
title: "Belgium is ready to transfer three F-16 fighter jets with EW systems to Ukraine, but there is a condition"
description: "Belgium plans to transfer three F-16 fighter jets with French EW systems to Ukraine, awaiting Paris's approval and continuing aviation ammunition supplies."
date: 2026-10-05T13:34:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/belgium-ready-to-transfer-three-f16-fighters-with-ew-to-ukraine
tags: [belgium, f16, ukraine, military-aid, france, sabena-engineering]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Belgium is ready to transfer three F-16 fighter jets with EW systems to Ukraine, but there is a condition

![Belgian Air Force F-16 fighter jet prepared for transfer to Ukraine](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/05/belgiya-gotova-peredati-ukraine-tri-f16-s-reb/belgiya-gotova-peredati-ukraine-tri-f16-s-reb-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- Belgium will transfer three F-16 fighter jets with French EW systems to Ukraine.
- Official approval from France is required to dispatch the aircraft.
- Sabena Engineering services the Belgian fighter jets for Ukraine.
- Belgium is preparing new ammunition batches after shipping 50,000 shells.

The Belgian government is finalizing preparations to transfer three modern F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, which will significantly strengthen the capabilities of the Ukrainian Air Force in repelling aerial attacks. This initiative is part of a large-scale international program to support Ukrainian military aviation, but its implementation depends on fulfilling certain legal and technical procedures at the interstate level.

### Transfer condition: the French EW factor

The main condition for sending the aircraft to Ukraine is official approval from France. As Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken explained, these fighter jets are equipped with specialized French electronic warfare (EW) systems installed during modernization. Without prior approval from Paris, the re-export or transfer of military equipment featuring French technology is impossible, though the Belgian side expects a prompt resolution of all bureaucratic nuances.

### Logistics, maintenance, and ammunition

The Belgian Defense Minister also refuted media rumors regarding alleged technical problems with the maintenance of Ukrainian F-16s at Sabena Engineering facilities. According to him, the company currently maintains four fighter jets monthly, and this figure could increase to six units in the future. In parallel with aviation equipment, Belgium continues to supply ammunition: following the shipment of a batch of 50,000 units, preparations have started for a new package requested by the Ukrainian army to counter enemy drones.

### Contradictory data

While official statements from the Belgian defense department confirm the upcoming dispatch of three fighter jets and stable technical support, open sources and expert circles discuss differing views on overall delivery paces and aircraft repair timelines. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously highlighted the issue of certain aircraft spending extended periods under repair in European centers. Additionally, questions remain regarding the precise schedules of logistics operations dependent on the French side's decision regarding EW systems.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [Бельгия готова передать Украине три истребителя F-16 с РЭБ, но есть условие](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/belgiya-gotova-peredati-ukrayini-tri-vinishchuvachi-1791206912.html) - Заявление министра обороны Бельгии Теo Франкена о передаче трех F-16 с учетом требования разрешения Франции из-за систем РЭБ.
- [Бельгия передаст Украине F-16 с модернизированной системой РЭБ, - министр обороны Франкен](https://censor.net/ru/news/4026745/belgiya-peredast-ukraine-f-16-s-modernizirovannoyi-sistemoyi-reb) - Подтверждение данных о французских системах РЭБ и планах по логистике.
- [Украина в этом году получит новые F-16: сколько самолетов передаст Бельгия](https://glavred.info/war/ukraina-v-etom-godu-poluchit-novye-f-16-skolko-samoletov-peredast-belgiya-10773746.html) - Детализация объемов поставок и технического обслуживания силами Sabena Engineering.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: How many F-16 fighter jets does Belgium plan to transfer to Ukraine?
**A:** Belgium plans to transfer three F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.