Belgium's Defense Minister tells when country will hand over F-16 fighters to Ukraine

RTL info reports. 

According to her, Belgium will provide Ukraine with several F-16 fighter-bombers as part of additional assistance in 2025. The exact number of aircraft provided will depend on "building up Ukraine's new F-35 capabilities."

In addition, the country will train Ukrainian pilots and offer to take over the maintenance of the entire F-16 fleet of the coalition.

The minister said that the Belgians would train Ukrainians in Belgium, Denmark, and possibly in another EU country. Training on Ukrainian territory is not currently being considered.

"We are in the process of helping Ukraine modernize its armed forces. And I think that what we are offering here is fundamental and much better than just announcing the delivery of a few F-16s," Dedonder added. 

• The day before, Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov had a phone conversation with his Belgian counterpart Ludivine Dedonder. They discussed the provision of F-16 aircraft to Ukraine and pilot training.