Belgium to Transfer Entire F-16 Fleet to Ukraine by 2030

Belgium's defence minister Theo Francken said the country will deliver a total of seven F‑16 fighter jets to Ukraine by the end of 2026, with three operational aircraft and four earmarked for spare parts and crew training. The move expands earlier pledges and marks the first time operational F‑16s will be handed over for use in combat.

Belgium plans to replace its whole F‑16 fleet with Lockheed Martin F‑35 Lightning II jets and has outlined a long‑term schedule to transfer the remaining 40‑plus aircraft to Kyiv by the end of the decade. Further batches of about 20 jets are expected in 2027‑2028, subject to a formal political decision. The deliveries aim to boost Ukraine's air‑defence capability against Russian missiles and drones, making Belgium one of the largest European contributors of F‑16s to the conflict.