Minister: Final wave of Dutch F-16s set to arrive in Ukraine soon

Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans has said that the final F-16 fighter jets from the previously pledged batch will be delivered to Ukraine on May 26.

The announcement marks a significant milestone in the Netherlands’ military support for Ukraine amid the ongoing war, Caliber.Az reports via Ukrainian media. 

Speaking during a visit to the Ukrainian capital, Brekelmans also unveiled a 400 million-euro-Dutch investment in drone production, part of which will directly support Ukrainian drone manufacturers as they ramp up efforts to bolster the country's defense capabilities. Brekelmans offered insights into ongoing military cooperation and strategic discussions.

"We delivered the first batch of F-16s," Brekelmans confirmed, although he declined to disclose the exact number included in the initial shipment. "We will deliver the other F-16s to complete the 24 in the upcoming months," he added, noting that most of the promised aircraft are expected to be operational by the end of the year.

The defense minister also revealed that the Netherlands will deliver F-16s to Romania, where Ukrainian pilots will continue their training near their home country’s border. Beyond military hardware, Brekelmans discussed broader strategic issues, including details he learned in Kyiv about President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s so-called Victory Plan and a proposal that Ukraine could join NATO without its currently occupied territories.

"I think the fact that Ukraine is coming up with new plans and proposals, as well as trying to gather international support for that, is important," Brekelmans said. "In order to convey our official Dutch position, I also first need to discuss this with the Dutch government."

As Ukraine prepares for the upcoming Ramstein-format meeting with its allies, Brekelmans indicated that further policy discussions will be held in The Hague, where the Dutch government will review the insights he gathered during his visit. The deployment of Dutch F-16s and the large-scale investment in drone production underscore the Netherlands’ growing role in supporting Ukraine’s defense, both on the battlefield and through long-term strategic cooperation.

By Naila Huseynova