30 units by 2028

Belgium wants to supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets

Belgium has promised Ukraine the delivery of 30 F-16 fighter jets by 2028. This was reported on Tuesday by the Belga news agency, citing Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib.

The deliveries are to "begin at the end of this year", Lahbib announced shortly before the arrival of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi, who is seeking further support in the war against Russia on his trip to the Western allies, in Brussels.

First deliveries planned for this year
The first deliveries are planned for this year. Brussels has pledged to supply Kiev with F-16 fighter jets as part of a broader initiative by European allies. According to Belgium, it has provided Ukraine with military aid totaling around 1.2 billion euros since the start of the Russian invasion in 2022.

Ukrainian pilots are already being trained to fly the F-16 fighter jets. During his visit, Zelenskyi will visit a military airfield in the Belgian capital. There, he will reportedly meet with instructors who are training Ukrainian pilots for the deployment of F-16 fighter jets.

Bilateral security agreement signed
Prior to this, Belgium's Prime Minister Alexander De Croo signed a new bilateral security agreement with Selensky. At a joint press conference, he said that the Ukrainian President needed the right instruments to protect the citizens of his country. Belgium is determined to provide the necessary support.

  A joint press conference is planned afterwards, according to the head of government's office.

Selensky visited Spain on Monday. The government in Madrid promised Ukraine military aid amounting to one billion euros as part of its bilateral security agreement.