The Netherlands sent Ukraine the last batch of F-16-a total of 24 aircraft

Photo: defensie.nl

The Netherlands sent the last batch of F-16 fighters for Ukraine. In total, the country was handed over by 24 fighters. The Ministry of Defense of the Netherlands reported this on May 26.

-Due to the daily Russian Air Force, the F-16 is vital for Ukraine. This allows them to restrain Russian aggression for us, – said the Minister of Defense of the Netherlands Ruben Breccelmans.

The planes today departed from the Volkel air base to Belgium, where they are prepared for delivery to Ukraine.

– That’s Nostalgic moment, because the F-16 has been so important for our air forces for decades. But now, when we say goodbye after moving to the F-35, I could not imagine a better destination than Ukraine, ”the Minister of Defense quoted.

Ruben Breccelmans also stated that the planes were transferred and deployed in Ukraine.

-The Ukrainian Air Force was forced to switch to the F-16 quickly. In peacetime, it takes years. Now it was done in record time. Great achievement of Ukrainian pilots and technicians. But on the Dutch side, our people also worked extremely hard to achieve it. I am very grateful for them, ”he said.

Thanks to the F-16, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have achieved significant success in the battlefield, according to a statement. According to the Ukrainians, the planes were knocked down by winged missiles and drones.

– So, they have already saved their lives. The F-16 has a better overview of the battlefield and a higher chance of survival than the outdated Soviet aircraft found in the PS of Ukraine,-the minister emphasized.

The participation of the Netherlands in the Ukrainian F-16 program has not yet been completed, he stressed. The Netherlands, together with Dania and the US, head the F-16 International Coalition.

– This guarantees that Ukraine effectively uses fighter aviation. The Netherlands will also continue to provide a complete package to support the F-16 in the air. This includes things such as training, spare parts, ammunition and fuel, – said the Defense Ministry.

In addition, pilots are taught in Romania at the European Training Center F-16 (EFTC). The Netherlands also plan to create a training center for land staff in this country. EFTC uses 18 Dutch F-16 fighters.

Ukraine received the first Dutch fighters in October 2024. The second party was known in early February 2025. In March, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that the Armed Forces of the Armed Forces received an additional batch of F-16 fighters from the Netherlands.

Photo: defensie.nl

• On August 4, 2024, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the media report that the first F-16 arrived in Ukraine.
• On January 7, 2025, the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the Ukrainian F-16 pilot knocked out six missiles in one combat departure, although only four can be placed on the US fighter.

Source: kp.ua