Zelenskyy: Belgium agrees to transfer three F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine by year-end

Iryna Kutielieva - 29 September, 17:05

An F-16. Stock photo: Getty Images

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that Belgium has agreed to transfer three F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine by the end of the year.

Source: Zelenskyy on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda

Details: Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine will acquire these aircraft under an accelerated procedure.

Quote from Zelenskyy: "There is an important agreement with Belgium on the transfer of three F-16 fighter jets by the end of this year. We will work to receive these aircraft through an accelerated procedure."

Details: The president added that Ukraine has received urgent supplies of F-16 ammunition from Belgium and other countries, including Spain.

Quote from Zelenskyy: "As Russia escalates its attacks every day, we need to add more capabilities to shoot down aerial targets and protect people. I thank Belgium, Prime Minister Bart De Wever, and the entire government for taking decisive steps to support Ukraine in response to Russia's callous strikes against life."

Background:

In June, Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken reported that Belgium had decided to transfer more fighter jets to the Ukrainian Armed Forces than previously promised. He said seven F-16s would be transferred this year, four of them for use as spare parts.
In April, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said the first of the six F-16 fighter jets Norway had formally transferred to Ukraine would soon be ready for action after undergoing comprehensive maintenance abroad.

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