F-16. Photo: defensie.nl
The Netherlands has delivered the first of 24 promised F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, as announced by the Ministry of Defense of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The delivery is part of the Dutch commitment within the aviation coalition to support Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression.
Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans confirmed the delivery in an official statement on social media. “For the first time, I can officially announce that the first Dutch F-16s have been delivered to Ukraine. This is extremely necessary. In Kharkiv, I saw the destruction caused by Russian airstrikes and frequently heard the air raid sirens. The rest of the 24 aircraft will be delivered in the coming months,” Brekelmans wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Ukraine expressed its gratitude for the continued support from the Netherlands. After talks with the Dutch delegation, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov thanked the “comprehensive assistance” the country is receiving to defend against Russian attacks. “The F-16s in our skies are proof of the unwavering support of the people and the government of the Kingdom,” Umerov emphasized.
Additionally, Umerov mentioned new agreements with the Netherlands to strengthen cooperation within the aviation coalition, including the training of Ukrainian crews and the supply of weapons and spare parts for the F-16s.
The Netherlands also announced an allocation of 400 million euros to help Ukraine acquire reconnaissance, attack, and other military drones, further reinforcing the country’s defense efforts.
Sources: mil.in.ua | defensie.nl. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
