Fighter aircraft for Ukraine
Rutte promises Zelensky delivery of F16 jets
December 22, 2023, 9:47 p.m
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Zelensky repeatedly reiterates that Ukraine urgently needs F16 fighter jets. In one of his last official acts, outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte promises to prepare the delivery of 18 aircraft as quickly as possible.
The Netherlands is preparing to deliver the first promised US-made F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. Initially, 18 of the fighter jets will be prepared for delivery to the country attacked by Russia, the Dutch Defense Ministry said, without giving a delivery date.
The Netherlands and Denmark announced in August, with US approval, that they would deliver up to 61 fighter jets as soon as the Ukrainian pilots were trained. However, according to Dutch information, the jets need further testing before they can be delivered. In addition to an export permit, a number of other criteria must be met before delivery can take place. This included requirements for personnel and infrastructure.
Outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said the decision confirmed his country’s undiminished commitment to providing Ukraine with the support “it needs to respond to ongoing Russian aggression.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had spoken to Rutte and thanked him for his support. The topics were developments on the front, the situation in the Black Sea and Ukraine’s current military needs. The Netherlands has sent five F-16 fighter jets to Romania in recent months. There they will be used to train Ukrainian pilots.