Netherlands to provide F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine beginning in fall

During a joint briefing with her Lithuanian counterpart in Vilnius, Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren announced that the Netherlands intends to start deploying F–16 fighter jets to Ukraine this autumn, following Denmark's earlier plans for deliveries during the summer.

Delfi reports this.

As Delfi writes, such a schedule implies a prescribed plan of the allies.

"We have everything planned according to the project, which consists of training Ukrainian pilots, training service personnel, and transferring real aircraft. According to the plan, we have a training center in Romania, where we also help train Ukrainians. They are currently undergoing training in Denmark, the USA, and other countries. And if we manage to stay on this path, and everything will be ready in Ukraine, Denmark will deliver the first planes already this summer. And we hope to participate in deliveries with our F-16s," said the minister.

It should be noted that the Minister of Defense of the Netherlands, Kajsa Ollongren, said in an interview that the Netherlands will hand over 24 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.

"We are going to transfer 24 F-16 fighters in total. They will be transferred to Ukraine as soon as everything is ready. This moment depends on the training of Ukrainian pilots and technical personnel, as well as, 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 this summer we will be able to start supplying F-16 fighters, first from Denmark and then from the Netherlands," Ollongren added.

For reference:

At the end of March, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dmytro Kuleba, said Ukraine should receive Western F-16 fighter jets according to previously established plans and schedules.

Three F-16 multi-purpose fighters, on which Ukrainian pilots will be trained, arrived in Romania on April 17.

It is also worth adding that Ukrainian pilots, who are trained on F-16 fighter jets in Denmark and the United States, are already practicing the tasks they will face in Ukraine, in particular, striking missiles and rockets.

It should be noted that the fighter coalition will transfer a "significant number" of F-16 combat aircraft to Ukraine. These aircraft will be equipped with the latest weapons and able to strike behind the front line.