The Netherlands' Ministry of Defense is preparing six more F-16 fighters for delivery to Ukraine. The country is already preparing 18 aircraft, which were announced earlier.
Ukraine will receive additional F-16s
The Netherlands will not sell 6 F-16 fighters but will transfer them to Ukraine. The country's Ministry of Defence reported that the remaining 18 aircraft are intended for the F-16 training centre in Romania.
The Ministry of Defense of the Netherlands is readying six additional F-16 fighter aircraft for deliver to Ukraine. Ukraine’s aerial superiority is essential for countering Russian aggression, — wrote the Minister of Defense of the Netherlands Kajsa Ollongren.
For many years, the F-16 formed the most important part of the strike force of the Royal Netherlands Air Force. Now this role has been taken over by the F-35. All F-16s have been scrapped, the Ministry of Defense said in a statement.
In 2021, the Netherlands signed an agreement with Draken International to sell 12 F-16s.
However, this sale did not occur, after which the Netherlands offered Draken the option to purchase six F-16s. However, the parties have now agreed that the sale will not happen.
F-16 for Ukraine: what is known
In August 2023, the Prime Minister of Denmark promised to transfer 19 F-16s to Ukraine. Currently, six Ukrainian pilots are training on modern fighters in Denmark.
In November 2023, the Air Force spokesman, Yuriy Ignat, reported that Ukrainians are already flying with instructors.
At the same time, the European F-16 Training Center was opened in Romania, where Ukrainian pilots will undergo training.
Later, the Pentagon reported that Ukrainian pilots are being trained in both F-16 flight operation and maintenance in the US and Europe.
In October 2023, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said that Ukraine would receive the first F-16 aircraft no earlier than the spring of 2024.
