Ukraine will finally be receiving United States-made F-16 fighter jets from the Netherlands and Denmark, a much-coveted donation for President Volodymyr Zelensky.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has stated that the first batch of fighter jets are already on their way to Ukraine, Knewz.com has learned.
The Netherlands had initially announced the transfer of a batch of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine in December 2023, however noting that there were a couple of logistical matters standing in the way of the delivery.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte had said at the time that he needed to secure an export permit from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands before he could greenlight the transfer of the fighter jets.
He also mentioned that he was waiting for the personnel and infrastructure in Ukraine to complete prerequisite preparations for receiving the jets.
Now, it seems the Netherlands is ready to proceed with the delivery, along with a fellow member state of the Air Force Capability Coalition—Denmark.
The U.S. Secretary of State announced the transfer of fighter jets at the NATO Public Forum event on the sidelines of the Organization's Washington summit.
"I'm also pleased to announce that as we speak, the transfer of F-16 jets is underway, coming from Denmark, coming from the Netherlands," he said at the event.
"And those jets… will be flying in the skies of Ukraine this summer to make sure that Ukraine can continue to effectively defend itself against the Russian aggression."
The White House released a joint statement regarding the same on July 10, confirming that the Danish and Dutch governments are currently "in the process of donating American-made F-16s to Ukraine" and that the embattled nation will be able to fly these fighter jets in the summer of 2024.
"We are committed to further enhancing Ukraine’s air capabilities, which will include squadrons of modern fourth generation F-16 multi-role aircraft. The coalition intends to support their sustainment and armament, as well as further associated training for pilots to enhance operational effectiveness," the statement read.
Denmark announced in January 2024 that the nation would be supplying F-16 fighter jets in the second quarter of the year, following a significant delay. It was reported at the time that the country sought to replace its fleet of F-16 jets with the upgraded F-35 models, and intended to donate the former to Ukraine.
However, the country faced delays in the delivery of the new aircraft from the manufacturer Lockheed Martin Corp.
Reacting to the latest announcement, the Ukrainian president expressed his gratitude in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying that the new fleet of F-16 fighter jets will be used to boost the air defenses of the nation.
He added that the jets will help protect Ukraine "from brutal Russian attacks, such as this week's strike on the Okhmatdyt children's hospital in Kyiv."
"I am grateful to the United States, Denmark, and the Netherlands for taking practical steps to achieve the goal of all Ukrainians: to strengthen the Ukrainian air force with F-16s," Zelensky wrote on X.
"I anticipate that our air force capability coalition will be strengthened even further through the joining of new participants. F-16s bring just and lasting peace closer, demonstrating that terror must fail everywhere and at any time."
Belgium and Norway – also members of the Air Force Capability Coalition – are also on track to supply F-16s to Ukraine, with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre pledging the delivery of six F-16 fighter jets to the nation later in 2024.
"Combined with air defence systems, the fighter jets will be vital to enabling the Ukrainians to defend themselves against Russian air attacks. Norway has taken part in the training of Ukrainian fighter pilots in Denmark since autumn 2023, and will continue to support training activities moving forward," Prime Minister Støre said in a government press release.
Ukrainian Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov recently met with his Dutch and Danish counterparts and discussed the transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine and explored possibilities of "joint investment in the production of weapons."
"Ministry of Defense is creating the 'Defense Fund' to be the main partner for our foreign allies in creating joint ventures. I sincerely thank Denmark and the Netherlands for their support. Together we are stronger," Umerov said.