F‑16 deliveries bolster Ukraine's air defence amid conflict
Ukraine has received new deliveries of F-16 fighter jets. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced this during a press conference on 19th March. However, he declined to disclose the exact number of aircraft and the country that supplied them to Kyiv.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Wednesday about a new delivery of F-16s. At a press conference organised after a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, he stated that Ukraine "additional F-16s have arrived in Ukraine".
The leader did not disclose further details. "Several F-16s have reached Ukraine," he stated. "I will not say how many," he added briefly.
Zelensky also refused to reveal the country that delivered the aircraft.
F-16s in Ukraine. Delays in deliveries from Belgium
At the beginning of March, Belgium announced that it would be able to deliver F-16s to Ukraine only next year. The reason is delays in the delivery of the newly ordered F-35 aircraft, which are to replace the F-16s in the Belgian Air Force.
The Belgian government decided in 2024 to transfer 30 decommissioned F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. The first delivery of aircraft was originally planned for the end of last year but was suspended.
F-16s in Ukraine. Key role on the front line
F-16 fighter jets are used in Ukraine in both offensive and defensive operations. They play a crucial role in intercepting Russian missiles and drones.
The Kyiv Post portal reminds us that Ukraine received its first batch of F-16s from Denmark and the Netherlands in 2024.
