Belgium and Norway have announced delays in the delivery of 36 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, which represents nearly half of the total promised aircraft. The postponements highlight ongoing challenges in military support for Ukraine amid the conflict with Russia.
Belgium, which committed to supplying 30 F-16s, has linked the delay to a holdup in receiving its new American F-35 jets. The first of these new aircraft only arrived in Belgium in October of the previous year. Although the transfer of F-16s to Ukraine is expected to occur gradually until 2028, some jets may be delivered as early as 2026.
Norway, on the other hand, pledged to send six F-16s, but all of these aircraft are currently undergoing repairs in Belgium. The restoration process has been hindered by a shortage of spare parts, with each jet reportedly lacking around 100 components. Additionally, Belgian officials have indicated that Ukraine requested a postponement of deliveries due to a shortage of trained pilots.
As of now, the aviation coalition has promised a total of 79 fighter jets to Ukraine. The current status of deliveries is as follows:
- Netherlands – has delivered all 24 promised aircraft;
- Denmark – has supplied a majority of the 19 jets, with plans for completion by the end of 2025;
- Belgium and Norway – have yet to deliver any aircraft as of April 2026.
Considering the four jets lost in combat, the Ukrainian Air Force may currently have up to 39 operational F-16s.
The situation surrounding the transfer of fighter jets from various partners remains complex. Reports indicate that the Norwegian jets are stuck in a repair facility in Belgium, where progress on their restoration has been minimal. Meanwhile, Belgium has not delivered any aircraft in the past three years, justifying the delays by stating that specific timelines for delivery were never communicated to Kyiv.
Furthermore, the topic of Western aviation support has become a focal point for misinformation. Recently, Russian propaganda circulated false claims that Denmark was “withdrawing” its fighter jets from Ukraine, a statement that has no basis in fact and lacks any official confirmation.
Belgium and Norway have delayed the delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, citing various logistical challenges. The situation reflects broader issues in military support amid ongoing conflict.