Belgium Not to Send Fighter Aircrafts to Ukraine

Belgium’s Defense Minister Ludivine Dedonder said her country is not considering supplying its F-16s to Ukraine, as the aircrafts help protect the airspace of Belgium and other NATO member countries.

“At the moment, Belgium cannot consider such an issue,” Dedonder said in an interview with the local TV channel RTBF. “First, our F-16s fully participate in the protection of our lands and the lands of the Benelux, and they also participate in collective defense, ensuring the air security of the Baltic countries.

Moreover, the minister mentioned that the new F-35, which will replace the F-16, will be delivered from the United States no later than 2025.

Last week, the Belgian government announced a new 92 million euro ($101 million) military aid package for Ukraine.