Key facts
- Belgium will transfer three F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine by the end of 2026.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the agreement on September 29, 2026.
- Ukraine has received urgent F-16 ammunition shipments from Belgium and Spain.
- F-16s are used by Ukraine to intercept Russian drones and missiles.
- Ukraine received its first F-16 jets in July 2024.
- Ukraine has up to 39 F-16 jets as of June 2026, according to Defense Express.
Belgium will provide Ukraine with three F-16 fighter jets by the end of 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on September 29, 2026. The announcement comes as Russia intensifies its attacks on Ukraine, highlighting Kyiv's ongoing need for Western military aid to bolster its air defense capabilities.
Zelensky stated that Ukraine has already received urgent shipments of F-16 ammunition from Belgium and other allies, including Spain. He emphasized the importance of these aircraft in downing Russian Shahed-type drones and cruise missiles, and in protecting Ukrainian civilians.
"As Russia escalates its aggression on a daily basis, we need to increase our capabilities to shoot down aerial targets and protect our people," Zelensky said, referring to the agreement as "an important agreement." He thanked Belgium's Prime Minister Bart De Wever and the government for their support.
Ukraine received its initial batch of F-16 jets in July 2024, a year after a coalition of countries including Denmark and the Netherlands began providing them. The F-16s are utilized for both offensive and defensive operations, including intercepting Russian missiles and drones, and potentially for striking Russian positions. According to Defense Express, a Ukrainian analysis firm, Ukraine possessed up to 39 F-16 jets as of June 2026, after accounting for combat losses. The company also projected that by 2030, Ukraine's inventory could include between 96 and 129 F-16s, French Mirage, and Swedish Gripen fighter jets.