Ukraine received the final delivery of F-16 combat aircraft from the Netherlands.
The Netherlands has concluded the delivery of all 24 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, as announced by the Ministry of Defense on Monday. The final installment of the Dutch aircraft departed from the Volkel Air Base in the south of the country and is headed to Belgium for final preparation before transfer to Ukraine.
Ruben Brekelmans, the head of the Dutch Defense Department, was present during the departure ceremony. He acknowledged the importance of the F-16s in combating Russian aggression, stating, "Due to Russia's daily air attacks, F-16s are crucial for Ukraine. They help keep Russian aggression at bay."
The Netherlands' contribution does not mark the end of its participation in the multinational "fighter jet coalition" it leads with Denmark and the United States. The country will continue to provide support, including maintaining the combat readiness of the fighters and organizing pilot training at the European F-16 Training Center in Romania.
Ukraine received its first Dutch F-16s in October 2024, with a second delivery following in early February 2025. In March, President Volodymyr Zelensky reported the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine had acquired an additional batch of F-16s from the Netherlands.
The Netherlands' provided aircraft are essential for Ukraine's defense, as Russian air attacks remain a daily threat. Despite losses within the F-16 fleet during combat missions, the Netherlands aims to sustain Ukraine's air power with ongoing support.
[1] Source: European Truth, Dutch Ministry of Defense[2] [https://www.europeantruth.eu/news/ dutch-ministry-of-defense-announces-departure-of-final-batch-of-f-16-fighter-jets-to-ukraine/][3] [https://defensie.nl/actueel/actueel-persberichten/f-16s-vertrekken-naar-ukraine][4] [https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ netherlands-delivers-first-batch-used-jets-ukraine-2024-10-18/][5] [https://www.dw.com/en/netherlands-to-deliver-used-jet-fighters-to-ukraine/a-61553646]
The Netherlands, being part of a "fighter jet coalition" with Denmark and the United States, will continue to provide crucial support for Ukraine beyond the delivery of the F-16 fighter jets, including maintaining the combat readiness of the fighters and organizing pilot training. The aerospace industry and finance sectors, crucial for the manufacturing and delivery of military hardware, play a significant role in this ongoing support.
