Belgium, in a show of solidarity, will provide 30 Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters to Ukraine, aligning with three other NATO members who have made similar commitments. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s call for allies to lift restrictions on the use of weapons to hit targets in Russia underscores the unified stance against aggression.
Belgium has announced that it will supply 30 retired F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine between 2024 and 2028, in the latest defense pledge by a NATO member to Kyiv, demonstrating allies’ resolve in the face of Russia’s intensifying assault on the country. However, there’s a catch in the agreement between Belgium and Germany. These F-16s cannot be used in Russian territory.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons F-16 Fighting Falcon in flight
The strategic significance of the Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters is not lost on the commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, Gen. Serhii Golubtsov. He stressed the need for four operational squadrons of these fighters to have any chance of controlling the air over a single sector of the 700-mile front line of Russia’s wider war on Ukraine.
While hosting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo announced Tuesday:
“F-16 jets will be provided to Ukraine as soon as possible. We aim to be able to provide the first aircraft before the end of this year, 2024. Everything that is covered by this agreement is very clear. It is for utilization by the Ukraine Defense Forces on Ukraine’s territory.”
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo shake hands after signing a bilateral security accord in Brussels, Belgium, May 28, 2024. Photo: KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/Pool via REUTERS
How a Refusal Turned Into An Agreement
In September 2023, Belgium seemed uninterested in donating its retiring F-16s, citing several excuses. Belgium Defence Minister Ludivine Dedonder said, “It is not that I, by definition, do not want to supply F-16s; it is that from an operational point of view, it is simply not possible at the moment.” However, as The Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway led a coalition to donate old retired F-16 Fighting Falcons to Ukraine, pressure was placed on Belgium to follow in their footsteps.
President Zelenskyy, at a joint press conference in Brussels, mentioned, “[Vladimir] Putin has only one influence mechanism, that is the destruction of life. He is not capable of anything else. A sufficient power of weaponry is crucial so that we can physically defend [ourselves] against Russia’s terror.” He further added, “They are shooting at you, and you cannot shoot back at them because you do not have permission [from Western partners].”
Sweden, known for its advanced JAS 39 Gripen jets, has now decided not to send Gripen aircraft to Ukraine. Sweden had been looking to supply them parallelly with American-origin F-16 fighter jets. The decision comes after the Air Force coalition requested Sweden to prioritize the delivery of F-16s to Kyiv. While Gripen jets won’t be part of the immediate aid, the F-16s will be crucial in strengthening Ukraine’s air force.
Saab JAS 39, the aircraft whose delivery to Ukraine is being held by Sweden for now Photo: Tuomo Salonen / SIM via Wikipedia
Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson reported “significant complexities” in introducing two fighter jet systems simultaneously. Gripens might still be delivered to Ukraine at a later stage. “The other countries in the Air Force coalition have asked us to wait before donating the Gripen system,” he said.
