Belgium to send F-16s to Ukraine sooner. It is interesting how Kiev will pay for these aircraft

Although the number of fighter jets and delivery date were not specified, Dedonder said the deliveries would take place “as soon as possible”. Stressing that this decision does not threaten the country’s security, she emphasized that she will try to send the planes by the end of the year.

This announcement differs from the last one, when the Belgian government announced last October that it would not be possible to send the planes to Ukraine before 2025. Defense Minister Ludivine Dedonder then told Bel RTL television that the delivery date of the F-16s would “depend on the construction of new Belgian F-35 capabilities”.

With money from the aggressor

Speaking at a press conference together with Defense Minister Ludivine Dedonder, Alexander De Croo said the costs of the fighter jets would be paid for with frozen Russian assets.

Pointing out that there are many frozen Russian assets in Belgium, De Croo pointed out that the Ukrainians use the interest from these assets to defend themselves against Russia, stressing that Belgian taxpayers will not pay for these plans, notes the American publication Newsweek.

Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib announced on the X network: “Belgium will strengthen Ukraine’s defense by sending F-16s and additional assets. Ukrainians need help to protect their vital infrastructure. 97% of Russian attacks target civilian buildings,” she added, stressing that “helping Ukraine” also means “protecting yourself.”

Three northern European countries are the most active

The F-16 Coalition for Ukraine is close to delivering its first fighter jets to Kiev, nearly 9 months after the West decided to support the Ukrainian war effort with F-16 aircraft. Belgium, Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands are among the countries that have pledged to donate F-16s.

A first batch of pilots is likely to complete training soon, especially since Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitro Kuleba confirmed in March that the first F-16s should arrive in Ukraine this summer.

Final training is reportedly taking place on the F-16 fighter jets at two facilities: in the US and in Denmark at Skrydstrup Air Base.

Also, a group of pilots are undergoing ground training in the UK (possibly the first stage of the training program for the transition to the F-16). “They study the language there, because it is one of the priority directions. Because the use of F-16 aircraft requires proper knowledge of the English language,” explained Yevlash, 3 weeks ago.

Probably, some of the advanced training courses are also conducted by the French Air Force.

It should be noted that the European F16 Training Center in Romania was not mentioned by Kiev officials as one of the facilities where the training process of Ukrainian F-16 pilots takes place.

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