Amsterdam, July 1, 2024 — The Dutch government has announced that it will soon commence the delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, marking a significant step in bolstering Ukraine's air defenses amid its ongoing conflict with Russia. This announcement was made on Monday, with British news agency Reuters reporting the development.

In a letter addressed to the Dutch parliament, Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren confirmed that the necessary permissions for the transfer of the aircraft had been secured. However, for security reasons, she did not disclose the exact number of planes in the initial shipment or the precise delivery timeline.

The delivery is part of a broader Western alliance initiative aimed at strengthening Ukraine's military capabilities against Russian forces. The Netherlands, a key advocate of this initiative, has committed to providing a total of 24 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.

Prior to this, the Dutch government had already sent F-16s to a training facility in Romania, where Ukrainian pilots and ground staff are receiving training on operating and maintaining the warplanes. This training is crucial for ensuring that Ukrainian forces can effectively integrate the new aircraft into their defense strategy.

In April, Defense Minister Ollongren indicated that Denmark, the Netherlands, and the United States were expected to begin sending arms shipments to Ukraine within months. This upcoming delivery represents the fruition of these efforts, aiming to provide Ukraine with enhanced aerial capabilities in its defense operations.