Belgium delays F-16 transfer to Ukraine until year end

The delivery of Belgium's first batch of 30 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine has been delayed by at least a year, now set to take place by the end of 2025.

The delay is due to setbacks in the supply of F-35 aircraft to Belgium from the United States, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media. 

According to an interview with General Frederik Vansina, Chief of the Belgian Air Staff, published in the newspaper Soir, "We hope to start delivering the first jets by the end of this year."

However, he added that all timelines have been shifted due to delays in the arrival of Belgium’s new F-35 aircraft, which were initially scheduled for delivery in 2023 but will now only arrive by the end of this year.

These planes are expected to reach full operational readiness by 2027.

Notably, Belgium was among the first countries to join the coalition established in the summer of 2023 to bolster Ukraine's Air Force. The initiative has been spearheaded by the U.S., Denmark, and the Netherlands.

On October 11, 2023, Belgium said that it would provide Ukraine with several F-16 fighter jets, without specifying a number, and help with the training for Ukrainian pilots in EU countries.

Apart from Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway have also pledged to supply Ukraine with dozens of U.S.-made fourth-generation jets.

By Aghakazim Guliyev