Belgium has announced its intention to transfer 10 F-16 fighters to Ukraine by the end of 2026. This decision has been made possible by the arrival of new F-35 fighters to the Belgian Air Force, allowing for the commencement of the transfer of older aircraft.
Reasons for the Transfer of Fighters
The transfer of F-16 fighters to Ukraine is part of the commitments made by the previous Belgian government. The country plans to gradually replace its fleet of outdated F-16s with new F-35 aircraft. This means that as new aircraft arrive, the older ones will be transferred to Ukraine.
Timeline of the Transfer
The process of transferring the fighters was initially delayed due to issues within the Belgian F-35 program. However, now that new fighters have started arriving, the Belgian government has confirmed its readiness to begin the transfer of F-16s to Ukraine. All 10 aircraft are expected to be transferred by the end of 2026, marking an important step in strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities.