Netherlands Pledges Tanks, Air Defense, F-16 Spare Parts, and Drone Investments for Ukraine

Representatives from Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces held talks with a delegation from the Netherlands Ministry of Defense to discuss Ukraine’s military needs and defense industry priorities, the Defense Ministry reported on December 20.

On the Ukrainian side, the talks included Deputy Ministers of Defense Brigadier General Oleksandr Klochko and Serhiy Boiev, Commander of Aviation of the Air Force Brigadier General Oleh Zaharchuk, and Acting Commander of the Drone Forces Colonel Semen Kolesnyk.

The Dutch delegation, led by Major General Arno Stallmann, Director of the Ukraine Support Project Department, also included Colonel Hendrik Kaiser, head of the Aviation Capabilities Coalition.

Brigadier General Oleksandr Klochko expressed gratitude to the Netherlands for their provision of F-16 fighter jets.

“Every time, we thank the Netherlands for supplying F-16s because they perform combat operations and successfully intercept enemy missiles. During one of the recent mass attacks, our pilots shot down 12 cruise missiles. Your aircraft save Ukrainian lives, their homes, and critical infrastructure,” Klochko said.

Ukraine emphasized the need for additional spare parts for F-16s to ensure their longevity in active combat. Specific details on the execution of combat missions by Ukrainian pilots were also shared.

The Netherlands announced plans to supply air defense systems, tanks, artillery, and demining equipment. They also reiterated their commitment to the Drone Coalition and confirmed a $416 million (€400 million) investment in UAV production.

Deputy Minister Serhiy Boiev highlighted Ukraine’s efforts to expand its domestic defense capabilities and emphasized the importance of international investment in achieving production goals for 2025.

Major General Arno Stallmann praised Ukraine’s battlefield innovations, stating that insights from Ukrainian forces enabled the Netherlands to refine its technologies and improve the effectiveness of its military support.

“The Netherlands ranks among the top 5 countries providing aid to Ukraine, and we are committed to maintaining that leadership next year. We will support Ukraine as long as necessary. Our consultations on maximizing the efficiency of F-16 operations continue, as does our training of Ukrainian pilots,” Stallmann said.

Earlier, the Netherlands was unable to allocate €750 million earmarked for direct military aid to Ukraine in 2024 due to the “tight global market for defense equipment.”