Ukraine to Receive F-16 Fighter Jets from Netherlands and DenmarkUkraine to Receive F-16 Fighter Jets from Netherlands and Denmark After encountering logistical delays, Ukraine will finally receive American F-16 fighter jets from the Netherlands and Denmark in 2024. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the first batch of jets is already on its way. Initially, the transfer faced challenges with export permit approvals and infrastructure preparations in Ukraine. However, the Netherlands is now ready to deliver the fighter jets along with Denmark. Denmark had planned to provide jets in December 2023 but faced delays. The White House confirmed the donation of F-16s in a joint statement on July 10th. The statement indicated that the jets will arrive in Ukraine during the summer of 2024. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude for the announcement, stating that the fighter jets will strengthen the country’s air defense and protect it from Russian attacks. Belgium and Norway, both members of the Air Force Capability Coalition, also plan to supply F-16s to Ukraine. Norway has pledged to deliver six fighter jets later in 2024. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov recently met with Dutch and Danish counterparts to discuss the transfer and explore joint investments in weapons production. The addition of F-16s to Ukraine’s air capabilities will significantly boost its defense capabilities against Russian air attacks.
Ukraine is finally getting American F-16 fighter jets from the Netherlands and Denmark, a much-needed donation for President Volodymyr Zelensky.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said the first batch of fighter jets is already on its way to Ukraine, Knewz.com has learned.
The Netherlands and Denmark will deliver F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine in 2024. By: MEGA
The Netherlands had initially announced that it would deliver a batch of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine in December 2023. However, a number of logistical problems hampered the delivery.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte had indicated at the time that he first needed an export permit from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs before he could give the green light for the transfer of the fighter jets.
He also indicated that he was waiting for the personnel and infrastructure in Ukraine to complete the necessary preparations to receive the fighter jets.
Now it appears that the Netherlands is ready to make the delivery, together with another member state of the Air Force Capability Coalition: Denmark.
The Netherlands had initially announced that it would transfer a batch of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine in December 2023. By: MEGA
The US Secretary of State announced the transfer of fighter jets during the NATO public forum, on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington.
“I am also pleased to report that the transfer of F-16 fighter jets from Denmark and the Netherlands has now started,” he said at the event.
“And those fighter jets… will be flying over the skies over Ukraine this summer to ensure that Ukraine can continue to defend itself effectively against Russian aggression.”
The White House released a joint statement on the topic on July 10, confirming that the Danish and Dutch governments are currently “in the process of donating U.S. F-16s to Ukraine” and that the war-torn country will be allowed to deploy the jets in the summer of 2024.
“We are committed to further improving Ukraine’s air capabilities, which will include squadrons of modern fourth-generation F-16 multi-role aircraft. The coalition plans to support their maintenance and arming, as well as further associated training for pilots to enhance operational effectiveness,” the statement said.
Belgium and Norway will also donate F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine in 2024. By: MEGA
Denmark announced in January 2024 that it would deliver F-16 fighter jets in the second quarter of the year, after a significant delay. At the time, it was reported that the country was looking to replace its fleet of F-16 fighter jets with the upgraded F-35 models and planned to donate the first to Ukraine.
However, the country faced delays in the delivery of the new aircraft by manufacturer Lockheed Martin Corp.
Responding to the latest announcement, the Ukrainian president expressed his gratitude in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. He said the new fleet of F-16 fighter jets will be used to strengthen the country’s air defense.
He added that the fighter jets will help protect Ukraine “from brutal Russian attacks, such as this week’s attack on the Okhmatdyt children’s hospital in Kiev.”
“I am grateful to the United States, Denmark and the Netherlands for taking practical steps to achieve the goal of all Ukrainians: strengthening the Ukrainian Air Force with F-16s,” Zelensky wrote on X.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his gratitude for the latest announcement. By: MEGA
“I expect that our coalition of airpower capabilities will be further strengthened by the addition of new participants. F-16s bring just and lasting peace closer and show that terror must disappear everywhere and at all times.”
Belgium and Norway – also members of the Air Force Capability Coalition – also plan to supply F-16s to Ukraine, with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre pledging the delivery of six F-16 fighter jets to the country later in 2024.
“In combination with air defense systems, the fighter jets are vital to enable Ukrainians to defend themselves against Russian air attacks. Norway has been participating in the training of Ukrainian fighter pilots in Denmark since autumn 2023 and will continue to support the training activities in the future,” Prime Minister Støre said in a government press release.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov recently met with his Dutch and Danish counterparts, discussing the transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine and exploring the possibilities for “joint investments in weapons production.”
“The Ministry of Defense is establishing the ‘Defense Fund’ to be the main partner for our foreign allies in establishing joint ventures. I sincerely thank Denmark and the Netherlands for their support. Together we are stronger,” Umerov said.
Samyarup Chowdhury Samyarup Chowdhury is a writer and reporter for Knewz.com and writes about breaking news.
