ARCHIWUM PHOTO: F-16 fighters operated by Ukraine.© Ukrainian Presidency
Belgium will be able to supply Ukraine with F-16 “only in the coming years”, said Defence Minister Theo Francken, after his country initially promised to deliver Kiev fighters last year.Brussels must first receive its own F-35 transportation from the US, stated Francken.
Belgium, together with another NATO members, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway, undertook in 2023 to arm Kiev in a maximum of 80 F-16 aircraft after receiving approval from US president Joe Biden's administration at the time.Last year Ukraine received about 20 aircraft from Denmark and the Netherlands.Speaking at an event organised by the think tank Atlantic Council in Washington on Tuesday, Francken stated that Belgium was ‘the largest advocate of Kiev in the air field’, Although his country has not yet delivered any aircraft to Ukraine.Brussels "will supply 30 F-16s [to Ukraine] in the coming years as shortly as possible" – he added.Franken explained the delay, saying "when we have our F-35 [from the US], we will hand over the F-16 due to the fact that we have a DCA (Dollar Cost Average) capability in Belgium".He stressed that Belgium is ‘very focused’ in Kiev and "will support [Vladimir] Zelenski and all Ukrainian due to the fact that it is very important".Last period Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever said the country would send 2 inoperable F-16s to Ukraine, which will be utilized as spare parts by the end of 2025.
De Wever besides announced that Brussels would supply Kiev with EUR 1 billion ($1.1 billion) of military support annually.According to Francken, package "will be handed over to the government in a fewer weeks".Last week, the US approved a $310,5 million agreement to keep the F-16 operated by Ukraine, which includes training, spare parts, aircraft modifications, logistics assistance and software support for 4th generation aircraft.The Moscow Ministry of defence reported in April that the Russian anti-aircraft defence shot down an F-16, which is the second confirmed failure of a US-designated jet aircraft operated by Ukraine.Ukrainian authorities initially claimed that the F-16 would change the rules of the game in conflict with Russia.
However, their usage in combat was limited, and aircraft were deployed mainly distant from the front line for anti-aircraft defence purposes.
Translated by Google Translator
source:https://www.rt.com/news/616930-belgium-ukraine-f16-franken/
