The Hague, May 26, 2025 – The Netherlands just sent off its final batch of 24 F-16 “Fighting Falcon” jets to Ukraine, wrapping up a promise made back in 2023, according to Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans. These jets significantly aid Ukraine in countering Russia’s persistent airstrikes.
Brekelmans emphasized the urgency of the transfer, stating, “The brutal Russian airstrikes highlight daily how vital these F-16s are to countering aggression.” The Dutch contribution forms part of a broader NATO-led effort to equip Ukraine with modern multirole fighters capable of countering Russian air superiority. The Netherlands has also provided 18 additional F-16s to the European F-16 Training Center in Fetesti, Romania, to train Ukrainian pilots and technicians, ensuring effective integration of the jets into Ukraine’s air force.
Ukraine also has secured pledges for F-16s from other NATO allies. Denmark has committed to delivering 19 F-16s, with initial deliveries already underway since mid-2024. Belgium has promised 30 jets, expected to arrive by 2028, while Norway has pledged at least 12 operational F-16s, with some sources suggesting the number could be higher. Norway has also provided 10 non-operational airframes for spare parts to support Ukraine’s growing fleet.
The United States has further boosted this effort by supplying non-operational F-16s for spare parts, a move confirmed earlier this month. In late April, social media posts and flight-tracking data revealed several dismantled F-16 airframes, likely older Block 15 Air Defense Fighter variants, being loaded onto a Ukrainian Antonov An-124 cargo plane at Tucson International Airport, Arizona. These airframes, sourced from the U.S. Air Force’s Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, lack critical components like engines and radars but will help sustain Ukraine’s operational F-16s.
The F-16s, primarily upgraded F-16AM/BM variants from the Mid-Life Update program, are equipped with modern avionics, sensors, and weapon systems, including AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles and GBU-39 small-diameter bombs. These changes enable Ukraine to conduct air-to-air combat, precision ground strikes, and reconnaissance missions, significantly upgrading its air force, which has long relied on aging Soviet-era MiG-29s and Su-27s.
However, challenges remain. Ukraine has lost at least two F-16s since their introduction, one in August 2024, likely due to pilot error, and another in April 2025. The compressed training timeline for Ukrainian pilots transitioning from Soviet-era cockpits to the F-16’s advanced systems has raised concerns. Despite these hurdles, the jets have already proven effective, with Ukrainian F-16s intercepting 11 Russian cruise missiles in a single mission in December 2024, according to Ukraine’s Air Force.
The Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, and Norway are all in on helping Ukraine beef up its air force. The Dutch even gave the green light for Ukraine to use these jets to hit targets inside Russia, which could shake things up on the battlefield.
