Key facts
- Belgium will deliver ten F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine this year.
- The F-16s are needed to defend against Russian jet-powered drones.
- Ukraine and Belgium also discussed supplying ammunition for the F-16s.
Belgium will deliver ten F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine this year, according to Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever. The announcement was made on October 15 following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. De Wever explained that the F-16s are urgently needed by Ukraine to defend against Russian jet-powered drones, which he described as difficult to shoot down. The transfer of F-16s is enabled by Belgium's ongoing modernization of its air force with U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets. Previously, on September 29, Zelensky had stated that Belgium would provide three F-16s by the end of the year. Discussions also included the possibility of supplying ammunition for the F-16s.