Ukraine will receive Belgian F-16 fighters no earlier than 2026.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever stated this during a conversation with journalists before the EU summit in Brussels. His words are quoted by France 24.
The delay is due to the fact that the Belgian Air Force has not yet received the new F-35 fighters, which are to replace the F-16s. It was previously expected that the first planes would be delivered by the end of 2024, but this schedule has now been revised.
Belgian Chief of the General Staff Frederik Vansina warned earlier that the first of the 30 fighters promised to Ukraine could arrive only at the end of 2025.
Recall that Belgium announced the transfer of 30 F-16 fighters to Ukraine back in December 2023. This became possible after the country ordered new F-35s. The Belgian government assured that these aircraft would be transferred to the Ukrainian side without any financial burden on the Belgians - the money for them would be taken from frozen russian assets.
In May 2024, Belgium planned to transfer several F-16 fighters to Ukraine by the end of the year. The Ukrainian Armed Forces could use them only on Ukrainian territory.
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