Belgium to Supply Ukraine with F-16 from 2025

Belgium's Defense Minister, Ludivine Dedonder, has officially confirmed her country's intent to provide Ukraine with a fleet of F-16 fighter aircraft commencing in 2025.

Additionally, Belgium remains committed to training Ukrainian pilots, as per reports from Belgian broadcasters.

This strategic decision follows earlier discussions in September when Belgian Deputy Prime Minister David Clarinval expressed the government's liberal wing's consideration to dispatch between two to four F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine in 2024.

Minister Dedonder emphasized that the quantity of F-16 fighter jets dispatched to Kiev would be contingent upon the advancement of Belgium's new F-35 capabilities, as disclosed by the broadcaster.

It is crucial to note that Russia's Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, raised concerns in mid-July regarding the potential delivery of F-16 fighter jets.

Lavrov contended that these aircraft have undergone modifications rendering them nuclear-capable, thus, representing a direct threat to Russia and potentially escalating the conflict in Ukraine.

Belgium's commitment to supplying Ukraine with F-16 fighter aircraft underscores its dedication to supporting Ukraine's defense capabilities in a complex geopolitical landscape.