Belgium has postponed the delivery of the first batch of 30 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine due to delays in the arrival of F-35 aircraft from the United States. The first F-16s were expected to arrive this year, but they will now be delivered at the end of the year, with the entire transfer process extending over three to four years.
The Chief of the Belgian General Staff, Frederic Vansina, confirmed the delay and explained that Belgium could only transfer the F-16s once it received its replacement F-35 jets from the United States. He stated that as soon as the new aircraft arrived, Belgium would begin handing over the older F-16s to Ukraine.
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Kroo and Defence Minister Ludivine Dedonder had initially promised to send the fighter jets by the end of 2024, aiming to accelerate military assistance to Ukraine. However, with the F-35 deliveries delayed, Belgium now expects to complete the full transfer of its F-16 fleet to Ukraine between 2025 and 2028.
Vansina highlighted that Belgium was committed to supplying as many aircraft as possible to Ukraine and could eventually transfer all 30 fighter jets. He emphasised that Belgium would be the largest contributor of F-16s to Ukraine, making a significant contribution to Ukraine’s air defence.
The transition from the F-16 to the F-35 in Belgium’s air force will take time. The F-16s will remain in Belgian service until 2028, with the F-35s gradually replacing them starting in 2027. The staggered handover means that Ukraine will receive the fighter jets in phases over the next few years rather than in a single shipment.
Belgium’s decision also takes into account the operational status of its F-16s. Some of the aircraft being sent to Ukraine will still be combat-ready, as they have not yet exceeded their 8,000-hour flight limit. Those that have reached this threshold will be used by Ukraine for spare parts to maintain its existing fleet.
Earlier, Belgium had assured Ukraine that it would not wait until 2025 to deliver the F-16s, in an effort to speed up military aid. However, the revised schedule means that the first aircraft will only arrive at the end of 2025, with further deliveries continuing in the years ahead.
