Belgium plans to transfer F-16 fighters to Ukraine after its air force receives new F-35 aircraft. This was stated by Defense Minister Theo Francken during a speech at the European Policy Centre forum in Brussels.
This is reported by Kyiv24
The Importance of Transitioning to F-35 for Belgium
According to Francken, the first three F-35 aircraft have already arrived in Belgium, and their preparation for operational use will take about a year to a year and a half. It is only after achieving full operational capability of the F-35 that the country will be able to begin transferring F-16s to Ukraine.
“We continue to receive deliveries on schedule: the first three F-35s (not four) have already arrived. Now they need to become operational – I think this will take about a year or a year and a half. Once we achieve operational capability, we will be able to transfer our F-16s to Ukraine,” said Francken.
The minister emphasized that the deployment of F-35s is a critical step for the Belgian Air Force, as this process determines the possibility of transferring older aircraft to Ukraine. Additionally, Belgium plays an important role in NATO’s nuclear deterrence policy, and therefore the modernization of its air force is of strategic significance for the country.
Timeline for the Transfer of F-16 Fighters
Belgium is part of an international coalition working on the preparation for the transfer of F-16 fighters to Ukraine. Earlier, Theo Francken noted that Brussels aims to carry this out even earlier than planned, although no specific dates were provided. According to government information, the transfer of the aircraft depends on the delivery schedule of the new F-35s and is tentatively expected in 2026.
In March, Belgian authorities reported delays in providing F-16s to Ukraine due to postponements in the delivery of F-35s from the United States. Thus, the Ukrainian side should expect an enhancement of aviation capabilities after the Belgian Air Force completes its transition to more modern fighters.