The Netherlands is likely to send F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine after pilot training, Bloomberg reported Friday, citing its own sources familiar with the matter.
“The Netherlands currently has 42 F-16 fighter jets in service, 24 of which are currently used by the Dutch army and cannot be sent to Ukraine until mid-2024. A dozen of the other 18 aircraft were to have been sold to Draken International (an American limited liability company – IF), but the government postponed handing over the planes in December without explanation, citing commercial confidentiality. Although a final decision on the deployment has not yet been made, Ukraine may receive some of the aircraft for sale or some of the 24 aircraft currently in service next year, depending on the training schedule,” the report says.
The publication stresses that the Netherlands maintains the airworthiness of all its F-16s through regular maintenance.
A spokeswoman for the Dutch defense ministry said Thursday that the government would consider a possible F-16 delivery to Ukraine at a later date, adding that pilot training is now a priority. Meanwhile, the Netherlands, along with Denmark, is now leading a coalition to train Ukrainian pilots with support from Britain and Belgium.
“According to one source, the Dutch government is already studying and discussing possible deployment plans with its allies. Despite the Dutch government’s willingness to help strengthen Ukraine’s air defense as soon as possible, pilot training, deployment planning and logistics could take many months,” the publication writes.
According to the Dutch Defense Ministry, as of today the Netherlands has provided Ukraine with about EUR1.6bn of military assistance since the start of the Russian invasion, including EUR732m worth of equipment.
