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Ukraine to Receive Final Batch of Dutch F-16s as Russian Air Attacks Intensify

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Amira Barkhush
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Ukraine to Receive Final Batch of Dutch F-16s as Russian Air Attacks Intensify
Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans waves goodbye to the last two F16 fighter jets to be sent to Ukraine as they leave Volkel Air Base, the Netherlands, on May 26, 2025. (Source: Getty Images)

The final batch of Dutch F-16 fighter jets designated for Ukraine departed the Netherlands, according to the Dutch Ministry of Defense on May 26.

The aircraft left Volkel Air Base for Belgium, where they will undergo final preparations before delivery. With this shipment, the Netherlands has completed its donation of 24 F-16s to support Ukraine’s defense.

“It is a nostalgic moment, because the F-16s were so central to our air force for decades. But now that we are saying goodbye after the transition to F-35s, I could not have thought of a better destination than Ukraine. Because of the daily Russian air strikes, the F-16s are of vital importance to Ukraine. It enables them to keep Russian aggression at bay for us too,” said Ruben Brekelmans, the Minister of Defense of the Netherlands.

In addition to the aircraft, the Netherlands continues to provide Ukraine with military support, including pilot and technician training, spare parts, ammunition, and fuel. Ukrainian pilots are currently training at the European F-16 Training Center in Romania, which has also received a significant number of F-16s from the Netherlands, the ministry noted.

According to Brekelmans, the F-16s have already contributed to Ukraine’s battlefield success. He noted that Ukrainian forces reported using the aircraft to intercept cruise missiles and drones.

“They have already saved lives,” the minister noted. “The F-16s have a better overview of the battlefield and a higher chance of survival than the outdated Soviet aircraft that the Ukrainian air force flew.”

The Aviation Coalition for Ukraine is an international alliance of countries, coordinated primarily by the Netherlands and Denmark, formed to provide Ukraine with Western fighter jets, most notably the US-made F-16, and the necessary training, logistics, and maintenance support to operate them effectively.

On May 15, it was reported that Norway will complete the delivery of its promised F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine by the end of 2025.

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