Netherlands boosts Ukraine's air power with 2025 F‑16 pledge

Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov announced that the Netherlands will deliver another batch of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine by the end of January 2025. This decision was made following a meeting with the Dutch Defence Minister, Ruben Brekelmans, in The Hague. The two ministers discussed strengthening Ukraine's air capabilities and ongoing training programs for Ukrainian pilots and technicians.

The Netherlands plays a key role in Ukraine's efforts to bolster its air defences. In August 2024, the first F-16s, specifically the F-16A/B Block 20 MLU models, arrived in Ukraine. These upgraded aircraft significantly improved Ukraine's ability to counter threats from Russia, including missile and drone attacks.

The delivery of F-16s is part of a broader NATO support coalition. Initially, in August 2023, a plan to deliver 42 F-16 fighter jets was announced. Since then, the number has increased to about 65, thanks to additional commitments from the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Belgium, as reported by Army Recognition.

F-16A/B Block 20 MLU is an upgraded version of the iconic F-16 Fighting Falcon multirole fighter jet. The letters "MLU" stand for "Mid-Life Update," a modernization program designed to extend the aircraft's service life and adapt it to modern battlefield requirements. This variant was developed for F-16A/B users, primarily European countries like Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands, which operated older aircraft versions and needed modernization without purchasing new models.

Thanks to the modernization, the F-16A/B Block 20 MLU could carry many modern missile and bomb systems. It can be equipped with AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles. Additionally, the aircraft can carry laser-guided and GPS-guided bombs, such as the GBU-12 Paveway II or JDAM.