The Netherlands sends a new batch of F-16s and announces a joint drone programme
7 October 09:04The first F-16s from the Netherlands have been delivered to Ukraine. Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans wrote about this on Twitter, according to Komersant Ukrainian
“For the first time, I can officially announce that the first Dutch F-16s have been delivered to Ukraine. This is urgently needed. In Kharkiv, I saw the destruction caused by Russian air strikes and heard frequent aircraft signals. The rest of the 24 aircraft will arrive in the coming months,”
– the minister wrote.
The Dutch official arrived in Kharkiv on Sunday, 6 October, and was struck by the effects of Russian bombing and shelling. Ukraine can only defend itself by keeping Russia at a distance, he said.
That is why the Netherlands has announced a large-scale drone programme in addition to the F-16.
“We continue to play a leading role in supporting Ukraine. That is why during my visit to Kharkiv and Kyiv, I am announcing a Drone Action Plan. For €400 million, we will provide advanced drones for reconnaissance, defence and attack. Almost half of them will be developed in the Netherlands,”
– brekelmans wrote.
The Netherlands is one of the leaders in terms of the size and quality of military and other support for Ukraine in the war against Russia. It is one of the countries with which Ukraine has signed a security agreement. It is the Netherlands that Ukraine relies on to receive a significant number of F-16 aircraft.
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F-16 for Ukraine
The United States has led the Ukrainian Air Force Development Capability Coalition in the management of F-16 multi-role fighter jets. The Netherlands and Denmark became co-chairs.
In August last year, Denmark and the Netherlands promised to provide Ukraine with 61 F-16 fighters. However, on 20 August 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced after talks with then Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte that Ukraine would receive a total of 42 American F-16s.
In order for the delivery to begin, it was necessary for Ukrainian pilots and maintenance personnel to be trained and for Ukraine to prepare the infrastructure. As reported in May 2024, the first group of Ukrainian pilots completed their F-16 training in the United States and travelled to Europe.
Although the first aircraft arrived in August, things are not moving quickly. For example, Belgium plans to hand over most of the aircraft in 2025. Meanwhile, Ukraine has begun to lose even the units it has.
It is not known for certain how many F-16s Ukraine has in service. Until yesterday’s announcement by the Dutch Prime Minister, it was believed that no more than ten had been delivered. In total, Ukraine has been promised more than a hundred F-16s, but at some point.