After Belgium previously stated that it would not send F-16s to Ukraine, now Belgian Defence Minister Ludivine Dedonder announced that his country will send several Belgian F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine starting in 2025.
Dedonder did not specify how many planes would be sent to Ukraine. The minister added that in addition to sending fighters, Belgium will continue training Ukrainian pilots and will offer to take over maintenance of the entire F-16 fleet of the aviation coalition.
Belgium ordered a total of 160 F-16s in the late 1970s. Belgium's initial order was 116 F-16s (96 single-seats and 20 two-seaters).
Belgium has recently refused Ukrainian F-16 demand, stating that the jets had cracks on the frame and it might be dangerous to fly on them. Such problems are solved by replacing the "longerons" with firm ones.
