Belgium urged to deliver promised F‑16 fleet to Ukraine

Last year's decision by the Belgian government stipulated that Ukraine would receive 30 used F-16 fighters. Initially, the plan was to deliver the first units by the end of last year, but the implementation faced issues, and the transfer was delayed.

Problems arose, among other things, from a lack of spare parts and delays in deliveries of new F-35 fighters, which are meant to replace the F-16s in the Belgian Air Force.

"We do not have the luxury of waiting to strengthen our air defences," said Oleksandr Kornienko, head of the Ukrainian delegation.

"Your prime minister promised us that some aircraft could be delivered before the end of 2024. So far we have not received them," added another representative of the Ukrainian delegation, Yehor Cherniev.

Western allies have committed to providing Ukraine with F-16 fighters in modified F-16A/B MLU variants (Mid-Life Update from the 1990s). These aircraft are equipped with better radar systems and adapted to work with a wider range of weaponry, including AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles with a range of about 97 kilometres. On the other hand, the machines have undergone changes involving the removal of equipment reserved for NATO countries, resulting in them lacking systems such as the Link-16 tactical information system, which some Ukrainian experts criticise.

Currently, the F-16 fighters that have already been delivered to Ukraine are mainly used to complement the country's air defence. Pilots use them to shoot down drones and cruise missiles. However, there have also been reports of successful operations against Russian aircraft, such as the Su-34 bomber.

During his address in Davos, also on January 21, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed the importance of investing in European defence, adding that without it, the world could advance without Europe's participation.