Belgium to delay delivery of promised F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, local media reported, citing refer to a statement by the retired Minister of Defense Ludivin Dedonder. So far, the Belgian Air Force (Air Force) has not received the new F-35 fighter jets ordered from the US to replace the outdated equipment intended for the Ukrainian side.
Belgium is expected to have the new machines by spring next year. The Belgian authorities will try to have several F-16s available to the Ukrainians by the end of this year, as long as this is possible, Dedonder added. According to her, until the new fighters are received, Belgium cannot give up the F-16 because it would endanger the security of the country.
The Belgian Air Force expects the first eight F-35s by the end of the year, with the remaining 26 machines expected to be delivered early next year. After the Russian attack on Ukraine, the authorities in Kiev received 1.21 billion euros in aid from Belgium and the opportunity to train more than 3,000 soldiers.