Belgium to provide its F-16 warplanes to train Ukrainian pilots

The Belgian government approved its participation in F-16 training for Ukrainian pilots as part of an "aviation coalition" backed by the Dutch and Danish allies, says Defense Minister Ludivine Dedonder. 

In 2024, the Belgian Defense Ministry will send two F-16s to Denmark to improve the skills of Ukrainian pilots and a detachment of about 50 troops-technicians responsible for the warplanes deployment.

In accordance with the Belgian government's decision, six Ukrainian instructors and four mission planners will be trained in Belgium so that they can subsequently train Ukrainian pilots and other personnel on F-16s, Dedonder said.

In the coming weeks, the Belgian department will send a group of three servicemen to a training center for Ukrainian F-16 pilots in Denmark, which has made its Skrydstrup air base in the state's south available for this matter.

Ukrainian pilots are known to have begun training on F-16 fighter jets in Denmark. Greece and Portugal will join in training Ukrainians. Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway have announced their decision to provide F-16s to Ukraine.