Belgium will send several of its F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine as part of military assistance until 2025. The country will also take part in the training of Ukrainian pilots. This was stated by Belgian Defense Minister Ludivine Dedonder on Bel RTL radio.
"Belgium will send F-16 fighters to Ukraine from 2025," she said.
At the same time, the head of the Belgian Defense Ministry did not specify how many aircraft will be sent to Ukraine.
According to Dedonder, such a transfer of combat aircraft will be carried out "depending on the increase in the capacity of our new F-35s."
In addition to sending the fighters, Belgium will continue to train pilots and offer maintenance for the entire coalition F-16 fleet, the minister emphasized, adding that the country will continue to provide assistance to Ukraine.
Dedonder also spoke about pilot training in Belgium, Denmark, and possibly in another EU country.
"Belgian personnel will train Ukrainian pilots in Belgium, Denmark, and probably in one of the EU countries. We are not talking about Ukraine yet. We are in the process of enabling Ukraine to modernize its armed forces. And I think that what we are offering here is fundamental and much better than just announcing the delivery of a few F-16s," the Belgian defense minister said.
