Belgium's F‑16 delay to Ukraine: Sparking concerns over U.S. role
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever confirmed media reports about issues related to transferring F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. These aircraft, meant for the Ukrainian army fighting against Russia, will be delivered with significant delays—only in 2026. Some experts recommend paying close attention to the United States in this situation.
Belgium is one of the most actively involved countries in the "air coalition" supporting Ukraine's defense efforts. Alongside the Netherlands and Denmark, it has decided to transfer its F-16 fighter jets (up to 30 units) to Ukraine. Although the first delivery was initially planned for the end of 2024, it has been postponed. The transfer of Belgian F-16s to Ukraine will not happen this year either. So, why the delay?
Belgium delays F-16 deliveries to Ukraine
The Belgians point to two primary reasons for this delay: the lack of spare parts and the delayed delivery of F-35 fighters, which are intended to replace the F-16s allocated to Ukraine in the Belgian air force. The second reason is considerably more critical.
The Unian agency quoted aviation market development expert Bogdan Dolince as suggesting that the United States might indirectly influence the delay in delivering F-16s to Ukraine.
He explained that transferring specific aircraft is impossible without U.S. involvement and the necessary licenses. He also pointed out that the security sector operates under a state export control system, which can directly or indirectly impact the delivery timelines for specific weapons intended for Ukraine.
The Belgians cannot afford to abandon the F-16s now, as doing so would significantly weaken their national defense. The fighters play a crucial role in Belgium, which lacks land-based air defense—something Bart De Wever emphasized firmly even before assuming office as prime minister. He noted that Patriot systems should be prioritized to address this gap.
F-16s becoming increasingly bold on the front
The ongoing war in Ukraine demonstrates that F-16 fighter jets can effectively support the country's air defense. Reports indicate that Ukrainian pilots use these aircraft to shoot down Russian drones and cruise missiles. Though such encounters occur, they engage less frequently in direct clashes with Russian aircraft. In October 2024, an F-16 successfully attacked a Russian Su-34 bomber.
F-16s are being delivered to Ukraine in the modified F-16A/B MLU (Mid-Life Update from the 1990s) variants. This upgrade provides Ukrainian pilots with better radars and the capacity to use a broader range of weapons, including AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, which have a range of about 62 miles, compared to older versions of these fighters.
