Belgium will give Ukraine 30 F-16 fighter-bombers by 2028, with the first aircraft set to be delivered by the end of this year, Foreign Affairs Minister Hadja Lahbib announced on Tuesday.
This commitment will be formalised through a signed agreement on Tuesday during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Brussels, according to the head of Belgian diplomacy as reported on by Bel RTL.
Belgium joined the 'F-16 coalition' with the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway last year to supply Ukraine with fighter-bombers amidst Russia's offensive.
Initially, Belgium's commitment consisted of providing training support as well as technical and logistical assistance. However, the government promised last autumn that they would also supply a number of aircraft once its first F-35 fighters have been delivered.
The recent Russian territorial advances in Ukraine have prompted Western allies to expedite the delivery of military resources. The expectation of long-standing affairs in Belgium following the elections has also prompted the government to accelerate the process.
Furthermore, the Belgian Defence will also take ammunition from its stockpiles to equip the F-16s destined for Ukraine.
Lahbib underscored that this support is necessary to stop Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom she believes is determined to retract the borders of European countries, and to ensure Belgium's security. "If we let Putin do as he pleases, [Russian tanks invading Brussels one day] is not an impossible scenario," Belgium's top diplomat stated.
