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Belgium Confirms Delivery of 10 F-16 Fighter Jets to Ukraine by End of 2026
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As Russia increasingly deploys faster jet-powered attack drones against Ukraine, Belgium is preparing to strengthen Kyiv’s air defenses with additional F-16 fighter jets, whose 20mm cannons could provide a new advantage in intercepting aerial threats.
Belgium has confirmed plans to deliver 10 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine by the end of 2026, despite earlier delays caused by the slower-than-expected arrival of US-made F-35 fighters intended to replace its existing fleet.
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According to The Brussels Times on October 16, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever confirmed the timeline following talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of an EU summit in Brussels.
Over northern Ukraine, a AAA crew captured footage of a Ukrainian Air Force F-16 engaging and shooting down a Russian drone with an AIM-9 Sidewinder. pic.twitter.com/ZH9jHfm5z2
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) September 5, 2026
De Wever explained that Belgium’s ability to transfer the aircraft depends on receiving new F-35 fighters, which are gradually replacing the country’s aging F-16 fleet.
The deliveries have fallen behind schedule because of delays in the F-35 program. However, with replacement aircraft now arriving, Belgium expects to proceed with the transfers while maintaining its commitments to NATO.
The Belgian prime minister emphasized that Ukraine urgently needs additional combat aircraft, particularly to counter Russia’s growing use of jet-powered attack drones.
He identified the F-16's 20mm cannon as a potentially effective weapon against these threats, allowing Ukrainian pilots to engage incoming drones without relying exclusively on air-to-air missiles.
Beyond intercepting Russian drones, the aircraft could strengthen Ukraine’s ability to protect its cities, energy infrastructure, and Black Sea grain export routes.
During their meeting, De Wever and Zelenskyy also discussed accelerating military assistance and supplying additional ammunition for the aircraft.
Belgian defense manufacturer FN Herstal produces 20mm ammunition compatible with the F-16's cannon, making the country a potential supplier of munitions needed for Ukraine’s air defense operations.
De Wever did not specify whether all 10 aircraft in the revised delivery plan would be combat-ready or whether some would be designated for maintenance and spare parts.
Belgium initially committed in May 2024 to supplying Ukraine with 30 F-16 fighters by 2028. The delivery schedule subsequently faced setbacks as the Belgian Air Component awaited replacement F-35 aircraft.
Ukraine’s combined fleet of Western-made F-16 and Mirage 2000 fighter jets now outnumbers its remaining Soviet-era MiG-29s and Su-27s. F-16s are playing an increasingly important role in intercepting Russian jet-powered drones as Ukraine expands its Western fighter fleet and strengthens its air defenses.
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