The Netherlands and Denmark have jointly declared their intent to contribute a total of 61 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, pending the completion of pilot training. The move comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy undertook diplomatic efforts to enhance his nation’s air force capabilities.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen revealed that Denmark will provide 19 fighter jets in stages. The allocation will unfold with an anticipated delivery of six jets around the new year, followed by eight more in the following year, and the remaining five by 2025. Frederiksen emphasized that this gesture symbolizes Denmark’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s pursuit of freedom.
Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Netherlands, did not specify the exact number of jets his country would contribute but disclosed that the Dutch air force currently possesses 42 F-16s. The Netherlands is in the process of transitioning to more advanced F-35 aircraft, supplied by the United States.
Speaking at a joint press conference alongside the Ukrainian president at Eindhoven’s airbase, Rutte confirmed the commitment of both countries to transfer F-16s to Ukraine’s air force from their existing stockpiles, subject to certain conditions being met.
President Zelenskiy, visibly pleased with the developments, shared a photo of himself alongside Rutte in front of an F-16 and even entered the cockpit. He communicated that an agreement had been reached with Rutte regarding the number of F-16s Ukraine would receive—42 aircraft, which he indicated was just the initial allocation.
However, the F-16s will not be handed over until the pilots and ground crews have completed their training. The training process involves six months for pilot skill acquisition, coupled with around four more months for the pilot crews to attain the required level of technical English proficiency.
While the F-16s are not anticipated to be operationally deployed in Ukraine until possibly well into 2024, this announcement provides a more definitive timeline and commitment for the transfer than previous discussions. Earlier in the summer, progress in transferring the fighter jets had slowed, but a recent letter from the United States to the Dutch and Danish governments indicated their support for the transfer upon completion of the training program.
Zelenskiy emphasized that the F-16s would significantly bolster Ukraine’s air defense capabilities and assist its gradual counteroffensive. Given the limitations of Ukraine’s current air force, which mainly consists of Soviet-era planes, the addition of modern F-16s is expected to enhance Ukraine’s capacity to engage in combat operations.
As both countries have pledged to contribute F-16s to Ukraine’s air force, the focus now shifts to ensuring the successful completion of pilot training. This move is viewed as a substantial step toward strengthening Ukraine’s military capabilities, particularly its air defenses, in the face of ongoing challenges.
EAST AND WEST 