Belgium's F‑16 delay: A setback for Ukraine's air coalition
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has confirmed media reports concerning issues with the transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. The aircraft, intended to bolster the army fighting Russia, will be delivered with significant delays, arriving only in 2026. Experts suggest the United States should be given priority in this matter.
Belgium is one of the most actively involved countries in the so-called air coalition committed to strengthening Ukraine. Along with the Netherlands and Denmark, Belgium transferred its F-16 fighter jets—30 in total—to Ukraine. Although the first delivery was initially scheduled for the end of 2024, it has been postponed. This year, the transfer of Belgian F-16s to Ukraine will not occur. Why not?
Belgium delays F-16 deliveries to Ukraine
The Belgians cite two reasons for the delay: a lack of spare parts and, notably more pressingly, the delay in the delivery of F-35 fighters, which are intended to replace the F-16s in the Belgian air forces.
The Unian agency quoted aviation market development expert Bogdan Dolince as suggesting that the United States might have an "indirect" influence on the postponement of F-16 delivery to Ukraine.
He explained that transferring specific aircraft is impossible without U.S. involvement and the required licenses. He also highlighted that the security sector operates under a state export control system, which can directly or indirectly impact the timeline for delivering specific weapons to Ukraine.
The Belgians cannot afford to relinquish the F-16s, which would significantly weaken the country. The fighters play a crucial role, given Belgium does not have land-based air defence—something Bart De Wever has consistently highlighted, even before assuming office as Prime Minister. He emphasised then that, in his opinion, Patriot systems should be a priority.
F-16s becoming increasingly bold on the front
The war in Ukraine demonstrates that F-16 fighter jets can effectively supplement the country's air defence. Reports indicate that Ukrainian pilots use these aircraft to shoot down Russian drones and cruise missiles. Although they engage less frequently in dogfights with Russian aircraft, such encounters do occur. In October 2024, an F-16 successfully attacked a Russian Su-34 bomber.
The F-16s deployed to Ukraine are modified F-16A/B MLU (Mid-Life Update from the 1990s) variants. Thanks to these upgrades, Ukrainian pilots have better radars and can use a broader range of weapons than older fighters, including AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, which have a range of about 100 kilometres.
