Belgium has said it will provide Ukraine with Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters from 2025.
The future transfer was announced by Belgian Defence Minister Ludivine Dedonder during an interview with the Belgian Bel RTL radio station on 11 October 2023.
Dedonder did not specify the number of F-16s to be transferred to Ukraine, indicating that this would depend on the ramp-up of the Belgian Air Component’s fleet of Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighters.
The Belgian Air Component currently operates a fleet of more than 50 F-16A/B fighters, but these will be replaced by 34 F-35As. The first four of these were due to be delivered in 2023, but Belgium opted to decline accepting the delivery of F-35s in their new Technology Refresh 3 configuration, the certification and qualification of which has been delayed.
The first F-35s are expected to enter Belgian Air Component service in 2025, marking the date from which retiring Belgian F-16s could be transferred to Ukraine.
Belgium’s offer of F-16s to Ukraine has come at an opportune time. Although Denmark and the Netherlands have previously announced plans to supply Ukraine with F-16s this situation was somewhat complicated on 11 October when the US State Department gave Denmark approval to sell 24 F-16s to Argentina.
Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Lloyd J Austin III announced, also on 11 October, that the United States is to lead a newly formed coalition focused on developing Ukraine’s air force in a bid to bolster the country’s long-term capability to defend itself against Russian attack.
