In the second half of 2024, 50 Belgian military personnel and two F-16s will be deployed to Denmark to train Ukrainian pilots, Belgian Defense Minister Ludivine Dedonder announced on 19 March during her visit to visit to Denmark, Beldefnews reported.
This initiative is part of Belgium’s commitment to the F-16 coalition, which aims to equip Ukraine with a fleet of fighter jets to ensure its territorial integrity and airspace protection.
The Belgian detachment, along with two F-16s, will remain in Denmark for eight weeks, focusing on training Ukrainian pilots, technicians, and mission planners.
“Defense support for Ukraine remains unwavering with our allies. The collaboration within the Air Force coalition is excellent,” Dedonder said.
Ukraine seeks F-16 fighter jets to counter Russia’s air superiority at the frontline, where Russian aircraft maintain an edge with longer-range capabilities despite Ukraine’s dense air defenses. The United States approved the transfer of F-16s from Denmark and the Netherlands last August, pending completion of pilot training. Training of Ukrainian pilots and ground personnel is ongoing, and Ukraine has yet to operate any F-16s.
Earlier, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis informed the Parliament in a letter that he approved the transit of equipment and material goods donated by Finland to Ukraine and the training of about 50 Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets, with the training to take place at the Fetești military base in southern Romania.
Read also:
- Belgium to fund $ 216 mn for Czech initiative to transfer 800K shells to Ukraine
- Putin falsely claims Belgium exists largely “thanks to Russia”
- NYT: Ukraine could deploy F-16s as soon as July, but only a few
- Stoltenberg on F-16: Ukraine has right to self-defense, including hitting targets outside the country
