Netherlands to transfer 24 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, deliveries to start in summer - Defence Minister Ollongren

She said this in an interview with Ukrinform.

"In total, we are going to deliver 24 F-16 fighters. They will be handed over to Ukraine as soon as everything is ready. This moment depends on the training of Ukrainian pilots and technicians, as well as, of course, on the infrastructure," the Dutch defence minister said.

She stressed that the transfer of fighter jets to the Ukrainian military is a joint effort with Denmark, the United States, Ukraine and other countries, and the first deliveries are planned for this year.

"It is difficult, it is complicated, but it will happen. Our coalition hopes that this summer we will be able to start delivering F-16s, first Danish and then Dutch," Ollongren said.

The Dutch minister also commented on rumours that she and Prime Minister Mark Rutte had personally asked the US to help Ukraine with F-16s.

"Let's just say we have discussed all the possibilities with our partners and friends. I think it is important that we, together with the United States and Denmark, were able to make this decision. Since then, we have been working very hard to ensure that it is implemented," Ollongren said.

• At the end of December 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that the Netherlands had begun preparations to hand over the first 18 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.
• In February 2024, it became known that the Netherlands would provide Ukraine with 6 additional F-16 aircraft, and deliveries were to begin this year.