Belgium is one of the participants of the "fighter jet coalition" supplying F-16 fighter jets to the Ukrainian Air Force. Although Belgium joined the initiative in 2023, it has not delivered a single fighter jet so far, despite repeated announcements of deadlines for the arrival of the first Belgian F-16s in Ukraine.
This was reported by the VRT broadcaster, citing information from the Belgian Ministry of Defense during a Q&A session marking the fourth year of russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
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The delay is linked to postponed deliveries of fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets. According to the broadcaster's sources, the delay amounts to only a few months and stems from Belgium's decision to spread out payments under the contract.
At the same time, the Belgian Air Force emphasized that its own needs are a priority for the Defense Ministry in the context of supplying F-16 fighter jets. Some F-16s will remain in service until Belgium completes its transition to fifth-generation F-35 aircraft and to meet NATO commitments. The decommissioning of the entire F-16 fleet is planned for the end of 2028.
Belgian Air Force Major General Geert De Decker emphasized that his country had never promised fixed delivery dates for F-16s to Ukraine. The publication claims that Ukraine allegedly requested a delay in F-16 deliveries due to a shortage of pilots.
Regarding the statement on fixed deadlines, no specific dates were actually announced, but officials have publicly given approximate timings for the transfer of Belgian F-16s to Ukraine several times.
For instance, in 2023, Belgium's former Defense Minister Ludivine Dedonder said the first F-16s were expected in 2025, but the Foreign Ministry later announced a more optimistic timeline of the end of 2024.
As of today, it remains unknown when Ukraine will finally receive its first F-16s from Belgium and what the pace of deliveries might be.
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