Netherlands promises to start delivering F-16s to Ukraine “without delay”

Delivery imminent for kyiv. The Netherlands will “without delay” start supplying F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp promised on Saturday, July 6, during a visit to kyiv.

It is part of the coalition that has just come to power, in which the Party for Freedom (PVV) of the far-right leader Geert Wilders occupies the most important place. This new government has reaffirmed the Netherlands’ support for Ukraine, which hopes that these American-made devices will help it better protect its soldiers and its cities against daily Russian bombardments.

On his first international trip since being appointed, the Dutch minister assured that his country was ready to send the promised planes, the necessary export licences having been granted last week.

“Now that we have received the green light for the first F-16s, they will be delivered without delay.”Caspar Veldkamp said at a press conference. However, he did not give further details, including on the precise date when the first of the 24 F-16s promised by the Netherlands would reach Ukraine.

kyiv has expressed its need for F-16s since Russia invaded in February 2022, and Ukrainian pilots have undergone months of training in NATO countries. Several NATO member states have pledged to supply the jets, which are touted for their precision, speed and range. Zelensky had expected about 130 to give Ukraine air parity with Russia. But Western countries have promised fewer than 100. Russia has warned that its forces will target all Western military equipment, including F-16s, shipped to Ukraine.