The Netherlands has confirmed the delivery of the first F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, according to Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans.
Brekelmans, who visited Kiev and Kharkov on Sunday, announced that the initial batch of F-16s promised to Ukraine by the Netherlands has already arrived. As part of the “F-16 coalition,” the Netherlands pledged to donate 24 US-made aircraft to the Ukrainian Air Force over a year ago, though a specific timeframe was not provided.
“For the first time, I can officially announce that the first Dutch F-16s have been delivered to Ukraine,” the minister wrote on X.
He further disclosed that the Netherlands will allocate €400 million ($439 million) towards developing high-tech drones for the Ukrainian military.
“This involves all kinds of advanced drones that can be used for reconnaissance, defense and attack. Especially in the air, but also on land and sea,” he said in a statement published on the Defense Ministry’s website on Sunday.
Brekelmans emphasized the critical role of drones in contemporary warfare, highlighting the rapid progress in drone system development.
“We don’t have the luxury of taking a long time; it’s about making speed. Procure prototypes, test them quickly and scale up production quickly,” the minister said.
Brekelmans informed Reuters that approximately half of the drone development funding will be invested in the Netherlands, while the remainder will be shared between Ukraine and other countries.
Kiev officials have consistently stressed the need for F-16s to enhance Ukraine’s aerial capabilities and counter Russian air strikes. Reports also indicate Ukrainian concerns about the pace of pilot training in the US. Ukraine reportedly lost its first F-16 during a combat mission in August.
Since 2022, the Netherlands has contributed over €3.76 billion ($4.12 billion) in military aid to Ukraine. Earlier this year, Amsterdam announced the assembly of a Patriot air defense missile system for Ukraine. However, Brekelmans told Reuters that the authorities have faced challenges sourcing spare parts from other countries.
Moscow has asserted that foreign aid will not deter its military operations in Ukraine and could increase the risk of direct confrontation between Russia and NATO.