More Belgian F-16s could arrive in Ukraine in 2026—report
F-16 aircraft (Photo: REUTERS/Ints Kalnins)
Brussels may hand over additional F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine next year after receiving F-35 aircraft from the United States, Ukrainian outlet Defense Express reported on Oct. 8.
New F-35As arrived at Florennes Air Base this year and will join the Belgian Air Force 1st Squadron. They are scheduled to be operational in rapid-response roles by 2027.
Belgium plans to keep its F-16 fleet active until 2028, when it will be fully replaced by F-35s. Under a 2018 contract, Lockheed Martin is delivering 34 F-35A jets, and Belgium has since ordered 11 more.
As F-35s enter service, older F-16s will be phased out and sent to Ukraine, with transfers scheduled through 2028. Kyiv expects to receive 30 F-16s under that agreement.
“Thanks to this delivery [of F-35s to Belgium], combat-ready Belgian F-16s will most likely be transferred to Ukraine in 2026,” the report said.
“This would expand the Ukrainian F-16 fleet, allowing for more sorties.”
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