The Netherlands has transferred to Ukraine maintenance equipment and missiles "air -air" for F-16 multirole fighters. This was announced by the Minister of Defense of the country, Ruben Brekelmans, at a meeting of the Ukrainian Defense Contact Group, reports UNIAN, quoted by BTA.
The minister did not provide details on the amount and types of equipment, nor did he specify a time frame. "The country wants to deliver the aid as soon as possible," he said.
"F-16s need maintenance and spare parts for maintenance or they won't fly. The Netherlands will supply consumables worth 80 million euros. As well as a large number of spare parts, the assets include generators, small vehicles, important maintenance materials, specialist tools and ladder flights. Thanks to air-to-air missiles "Ukraine can shoot down enemy planes," Breckelmans emphasized.
The Ukrainian media recalls that the Netherlands does not prohibit the Ukrainian army from using the transferred fighters on Russian territory.
It became known about the arrival of the first fighters at the end of July. Ukraine is expected to receive 20 F-16s by the end of this year.
According to the French TV channel LCI, Ukraine has to resort to tricks to protect its planes from Russian strikes. For example, F-16s do not take off from air bases, but from roads or highways.