The F-16s will enhance Ukraine’s air defenses amid ongoing Russian attacks. The jets, praised for effectiveness, mark a key shift in NATO military support.
The Netherlands sent the final batch of two dozen American-made F-16 Fighting Falcon jet fighters pledged to Ukraine last year. The first F-16s from the Benelux nations arrived last August, bolstering Kyiv’s aerial defenses.
“We are also training pilots and technicians, and sharing our military doctrines, so that Ukraine can build a modern armed force that matches that of the NATO member states,” Dutch Minister of Defense Ruben Brekelmans told broadcaster WNL last weekend.
On Saturday, the final F-16s bound for Ukraine departed from Volkel Air Base, where they had undergone maintenance before being delivered to Ukraine.
“It is a nostalgic moment, because the F-16s were central to our air force for decades. But now that we are saying goodbye after the transition to F-35s, I could not have thought of a better destination than Ukraine. Because of the daily Russian air strikes, the F-16s are of vital importance to Ukraine. It enables them to keep Russian aggression at bay for us, too,” Brekelmans added to the media.
“They have already saved lives,” the minister continued.
“The F-16s have a better overview of the battlefield and a higher chance of survival than the outdated Soviet aircraft that the Ukrainian air force flew.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Praises the Fighting Falcon Jet
President Zelensky requested this soon after Russia launched its unprovoked invasion more than three years ago.
“I want to recognize our defenders of the skies. In recent days, our fighter pilots, those flying F-16s and Mirage jets, have performed exceptionally well. They were responsible for shooting down a significant number of cruise missiles,” Zelensky said in his nightly video address earlier this week. “Thank you!”
The F-16s have proven highly capable of countering Russian airborne threats, including missiles and unmanned aerial systems (UAS), also known as drones. During this past weekend’s aerial assault by Russia carried out on Ukraine’s urban centers, Kyiv’s air defenses downed nine Kh-101 cruise missiles, destroyed or disabled 288 out of 355 drones.
“Thank you for your precision! And thanks to all the units defending our skies: mobile fire groups, army aviation helicopters, electronic warfare teams,” Zelensky added while also highlighting the efforts of the country’s 11th, 96th, 138th, 208th, and 301st anti-aircraft missile brigades. “Thank you to everyone fighting for Ukraine!”
Denmark, Belgium, and the Netherlands Send Ukraine Fighting Falcon Jets
In addition to the twenty-four F-16s from the Netherlands, Ukraine has been pledged nineteen from Denmark, thirty from Belgium, and at least six from Norway. The US and UK have provided pilot training. At the same time, an undisclosed number of older Block 15 Fighting Falcon airframes have been sent from the famed aircraft “boneyard” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base (AFB), Arizona, to Ukraine.
Although those aircraft cannot be restored to flyable condition, the airframes can be stripped of key components to keep Ukraine’s fleet of F-16s flying. The remaining fuselages may also be used as decoys.
Ukraine has lost three of its Fighting Falcons, including one last August, just weeks after it entered service. Pilot error was likely to blame. Two other F-16s were reported to have been shot down this spring.
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a thirty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].
Image Credit: Shutterstock/Joris van Boven.
