Belgium will try to accelerate the transfer of F-16s to Ukraine

Belgium intends to deliver F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine ahead of schedule, the country's Defense Minister Theo Francken said, reports Kryla.

At the same time, Belgium is considering the possibility of participating in the peacekeeping mission, which is being formed within the framework of the so-called "Coalition of the Willing"

"Regarding the F-16 aircraft, we were and remain part of the coalition. And we will try to transfer these fighters even earlier than planned," the minister said before the start of a meeting of the EU Council of Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Defense in Brussels.

He noted that Belgium seeks to continue to be an active party in defense support for our country, in particular within the "Coalition of the Willing", which includes a number of partner countries.

The Minister reported that close coordination is currently underway between the Chiefs of General Staff, led by Great Britain and France. The working group has almost completed the formation of the relevant plan.

"We have almost reached our goal. I believe that the situation is developing in the right direction," said Theo Franken.

Recall that in March 2025, the Belgian government warned of a postponement of the supply of F-16 fighters to Ukraine due to delays in receiving new F-35s from the United States.

Then the country's prime minister said that this year the F-16s would likely be handed over for spare parts, and the arrival of combat-ready aircraft would take place approximately next year.

In May 2024, it became known that Belgium would transfer 30 F -16 aircraft to Ukraine by 2028.