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First Dutch-Donated F-16 Jets Arrive in Ukraine, With 24 More Expected in the Coming Months

Oct 06, 2024 22:08

2 min read

The first F-16 to arrive in Ukraine, revealed by President Zelenskyy on August 4, 2024. Source: Zhenia Melnyk and Mykola Hrinenko for United24 Media

Ukraine has received the first F-16 jets from the Netherlands, with the rest of the 24 aircraft set to arrive in the coming months. The Netherlands has also committed to delivering various types of drones for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine valued at 400 million euros.

This was announced by Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans on X (formerly Twitter).

“For the first time, I can officially announce that the first Dutch F-16s have been delivered to Ukraine. This is urgently needed. In Kharkiv, I saw the damage from Russian airstrikes and heard frequent air raid alarms. The rest of the 24 jets will follow in the coming months,” wrote Defense Minister Brekelmans.

Voor het eerst kan ik officieel meedelen dat de eerste Nederlandse F16’s aan Oekraïne zijn geleverd.

Dat is hoognodig. In mijn bezoek aan Kharkiv zag ik de schade van Russische luchtaanvallen en ging vaak het luchtalarm af.

De rest van de 24 toestellen volgt de komende maanden. pic.twitter.com/nO3Un63sNk
— Ruben Brekelmans (@DefensieMin) October 6, 2024

Additionally, the Dutch Defense Minister announced a ‘drone action plan’, which encompasses the development and production of reconnaissance, defense, and attack drones in collaboration with Ukraine.

“We continue to take a leading role in supporting Ukraine. That’s why, during my visit to Kharkiv and Kyiv, I’m announcing a Drone Action Plan. With €400M, we will provide advanced drones for reconnaissance, defense, and attack. Nearly half will be developed in the Netherlands,” Defense Minister added.

Previously, the Netherlands provided Ukraine with a radar system for the Patriot air defense and pledged three additional launchers.