Netherlands to transfer over 20 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine

The Netherlands plans to hand over 20 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. The first deliveries should start already this year.

The Minister of Defense of the Netherlands, Kajsa Ollongren, said this, Rubryka writes, referring to Ukrinform.

"In total, we are going to transfer 24 F-16 fighter jets. They will be transferred to Ukraine as soon as everything is ready. This moment depends on the training of Ukrainian pilots and technical personnel and, of course, on the infrastructure," the Dutch minister said.

According to her, transferring fighter jets to the Ukrainian military is a joint effort with Denmark, the USA, Ukraine, and other countries.

"It is difficult, but it will happen. Our coalition hopes that by this summer, we will be able to start supplying F-16 fighter jets, first Danish and then Dutch," Ollongren added.

In addition, the Dutch minister commented on rumors that she and Prime Minister Mark Rutte personally asked the US to help Ukraine with the F-16.

"Let's say we discussed all the possibilities with our partners and friends. In my opinion, what matters is that we, together with the US and Denmark, were able to make this decision. Since then, we have worked very hard to ensure its implementation," she summarized.

As previously reported, 12 Ukrainian pilots will be ready to fly the F-16 by the summer, but there will not be enough fighters for all of them.

President Volodymyr Zelensky showed footage of Ukrainian pilots training on F-16 fighters in Denmark. The video is dated February 2024.

"All Ukrainians are waiting for the day when the first Ukrainian F-16s will appear in our skies, when they will strengthen the protection of our cities and communities and the capabilities of the Defense Forces of Ukraine," he said.

At the same time, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg warned that F-16 aircraft, like any weapon, will not become a silver bullet in Ukraine's war with the Russian Federation, however, these fighters will be important on the battlefield.

What is known about F-16 fighters for Ukraine

On August 20, 2023, an agreement was reached in the Netherlands and Denmark to transfer F-16 aircraft to Ukraine following the training of Ukrainian pilots.

In particular, Ukraine will receive 42 American F-16 fighter jets from the Netherlands and 19 aircraft from Denmark.

Ukraine's Air Force released a video at the end of September about how pilots adapt to the F-16 in Ukraine. They master the control of American F-16 fighter jets with the help of a flight simulator.

According to the US Air Force, at the end of October, a small number of Ukrainian pilots began training in the 162nd Aviation Unit of the Arizona National Guard in F-16 basics.

In November, the first F-16s for the training of pilots from Ukraine, which were previously sent by the Netherlands, have already arrived at the training center in Romania.

It is worth adding that on February 5, 2024, the Netherlands decided to transfer six more F-16 fighters to Ukraine than originally planned. Six aircraft that were planned for sale will be added to the 18 aircraft.