Three Belgian F-16s Expected to be Transfered to Ukraine This Year Pending French Approval

Belgium expects to transfer F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine soon after France approves the aircraft’s re-export, Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken stated on October 5.

Francken told Ukrinform that Belgian F-16s contain French electronic warfare technology, requiring Paris to authorize their transfer to a third country. Three Belgian F-16s are expected to be transferred to Ukraine this year.

“We can do this quite quickly,” Francken stated. “Once it is approved, we will be able to provide the F-16s. I believe this can be agreed upon in the near future. Then we will begin organizing the logistics.”

Belgium is also supporting the maintenance of Ukraine’s existing F-16 fleet. Francken rejected reports of problems involving the Belgian company Sabena Engineering, noting that four aircraft are currently maintained each month, with the number expected to rise to six.

Belgium is also working with a Ukrainian company on a laser-guided 70-mm missile designed to intercept aerial targets, including jet-powered drones. Francken stated that the weapon could be launched from F-16s as well as ground platforms.

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Belgium’s F-16 support has also included substantial ammunition deliveries. Francken noted that Belgium had supplied about 50,000 rounds several weeks earlier and recently received a Ukrainian request for additional ammunition, which his team is reviewing.

The pending transfer builds on an agreement reached on September 29, under which the three aircraft are to be delivered to Ukraine through an accelerated procedure.

Urgent F-16 ammunition deliveries have also arrived from other partners, including Spain, as Kyiv seeks more capability to intercept Russian aerial targets.

Ukrainian F-16 pilots have destroyed more than 3,150 aerial targets and carried out over 650 strikes on Russian ground positions. Ukraine is also weighing a possible transition to the newer Block 70/72 variants of the fighter.

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