Belgian F-16s can carry JDAMs and AIM-120Ds — but Ukraine cannot use them yet

Two years ago, Belgium promised to deliver 30 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, but so far, not a single aircraft has been handed over, according to brf.be, citing a response from the Belgian Ministry of Defense. The aircraft is a powerful tool for striking both ground and aerial targets.

Reasons for the delivery delay? 

The main reason for the postponement is the modernization of the Belgian Air Force. New F-35 aircraft are set to replace the old F-16s, and only after that will Belgium be able to transfer jets to Ukraine.

Air Force Major General Gert De Decker explains that the delivery of F-16s is possible only after this process is completed and Belgium’s own needs are secured. The ministry notes that there has never been a specific timeline for delivering the aircraft to Ukraine.

Ukraine has already received part of the promised F-16s from other European countries

To date, Ukraine has received 44 of the 87 promised jets from European partners:

• The Netherlands completed the delivery of all 24 promised F-16s by mid-last year.
• Denmark provided Ukraine with 12 of the 19 planned jets.
• The Netherlands also delivered F-16 simulators to train Ukrainian pilots.

Experts note that Ukrainian pilots have had to develop their own tactical approaches for using the F-16, as standard Western training did not fully match the conditions of war against Russia. This underscores the importance of adapting training programs and tactics to the realities of the frontline.

History of the F-16 in the Belgian Air Force:

Belgian F-16s have participated in NATO and international coalition combat operations:

• The first operation — missions over the Balkans within NATO’s Operation Allied Force (24 March – 10 June 1999).
• A significant stage was participation in the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission, where F-16s defended the airspace of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

Belgium lags behind other countries 

Unlike Belgium, Norway completed its transition to the F-35 in 2023, and the Netherlands has already begun receiving new F-35s and has a larger fleet. Denmark is also actively deploying F-35s.

These circumstances allowed the three countries to start delivering F-16s to Ukraine faster than Belgium.