The Dutch Defense Minister, Kajsa Ollongren, confirmed that the Netherlands has received the necessary approvals to deliver F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.
Ollongren informed the Dutch Parliament on Tuesday that the required permits were secured ahead of the transitional period of the Dutch government, following a prolonged coalition formation process since last year’s elections, according to the Dutch newspaper NL Times.
While Ollongren did not disclose the number of aircraft in the initial delivery or the specific timeline for their arrival in Ukraine, citing security reasons, she emphasized that the Netherlands has played a crucial role in forming an international coalition to provide F-16 jets to Ukraine. This initiative aims to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses against Russia.
In addition to the delivery of the jets, the Dutch government has sent F-16 aircraft to a training facility in Romania.
Here, Ukrainian pilots and ground crew are being trained on the operation and maintenance of these advanced fighter jets, ensuring that Ukraine can effectively integrate them into its defense forces.
The decision to supply F-16s underscores the Netherlands’ commitment to supporting Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict and highlights the broader international effort to bolster Ukraine’s military capabilities.
