Belgium will not be able to deliver previously promised F-16s to Ukraine by the end of 2024

Belgium has postponed the delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine due to a number of technical and organisational problems, including delays in the delivery of F-35s.

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The Belgian Ministry of Defence has announced that it will not be possible to transfer F-16 fighter-bombers to Ukraine in 2024. The reasons cited include a shortage of spare parts, a lack of trained Ukrainian pilots, and delays in the delivery of more modern F-35s, which are to replace the F-16 in the Belgian air force.

Earlier, Belgium signed a contract with the US company Lockheed Martin for the supply of F-35s, which complicates the possibility of decommissioning the old models. During a visit to Poland, Belgian Defence Minister Ludivine Dedonder confirmed that the first delivery of F-16s to Ukraine would be possible no earlier than 2025.

Ukraine has already received F-16 fighter jets from the Netherlands and Denmark. The first aircraft were delivered by the Netherlands in October 2024, which was officially confirmed during the visit of Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans to Ukraine.

In addition, on 7 December, it was announced that a second batch of F-16s had been delivered from Denmark, indicating a gradual expansion of aviation support for Ukraine by Western partners.

Source: Le Soir