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Netherlands started F-16 transfers to Ukraine

October 8, 2024 (by Lieven Dewitte) - The Netherlands has delivered the first of a planned 24 F-16s to Ukraine and became the second nation in the Air Force Capability Coalition for Ukraine to do so. The rest will follow in the coming months.

RNlAF F-16BM #J-368 is flying by at Volkel AB on September 6th, 2013. [Photo by John de Winter]

Denmark is believed to have delivered six aircraft in late July, one of which was subsequently lost in combat a few weeks later. Belgium and Norway have pledged to deliver F-16s to Ukraine as well.

Dutch defense officials have confirmed that the U.S. approved the transfer of F-16s on July 1st, although they did not say when the first Dutch F-16 was transferred.

In addition to the aircraft, officials note the country has also supplied air-to-air missiles and contributed €450 million to the purchase of munitions and €80 million for maintenance contracts and spares.

Other Dutch F-16s are currently being operated by the European F-16 training center in Romania, which just inducted its first cadre of Ukrainian pilots, having previously only trained Romanian aircrews.

Some 18 RNlAF F-16s are being used for training in Romania; it is unclear whether these will later be transferred to Ukraine.