United to win: Belgium to send 30 F-16 fighters to Ukraine by 2028
F-16 fighter. USA. 2024 year. Photo: 162nd Wing
Belgium will undertake to provide 30 F-16 fighters to Ukraine by 2028.
According to RTL, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium, Hadja Lahbib, reported this.
As the Belgian Ministry of Defense head noted, the first fighter jets should be delivered to Ukraine "by the end of the year."
Lahbib emphasized that this commitment will be formalized in the agreement on security guarantees, which Ukraine and Belgium will sign today, May 28.
In addition, the Ministry of Defense of Belgium will transfer ammunition from its stocks to equip Ukraine's F-16.
According to the minister, Kyiv's support is necessary to stop Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, who is determined, according to her, to move the borders of European countries and ensure the security of Belgium.
It should be noted that the head of state, Volodymyr Zelensky, plans to visit Belgium on May 28.
While in Brussels, the president will meet with King Philip I of Belgium and discuss with Prime Minister Alexander de Croo and Defense Minister Ludivine Dendonder. The main topic of conversation will be signing a bilateral security agreement.
As AFP writes, Zelensky will fly to Brussels as part of a tour of several European countries to gain support.
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.
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 UAVs.
In her turn, Arizona National Guard spokeswoman Erin Hannigan reported that the first group of Ukrainian pilots has already completed training on F-16 combat aircraft at the military base in Arizona, in the United States of America.
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 can strike behind the front line.
At the same time, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine needs at least 120-130 F-16 fighters. This will allow complete control of the sky.
