Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said the Belgian Ministry of Defense is conducting a review to determine whether the country can contribute a number of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. The purpose of the assessment is to understand the current condition of the fleet and to weigh possible options with care, according to De Croo as reported by VRT News. The defense ministry will evaluate whether the aircraft remain viable for deployment or require retirement or upgrades before any decision is made (attribution: VRT News).
De Croo noted that the ministry should examine whether the jets could still be useful in any capacity. If they retain value, a thorough exploration of all possibilities should follow. He pointed out that Ukraine might use Belgian aircraft strictly for training purposes in some scenarios, which would entail different requirements and constraints than combat deployment (attribution: VRT News).
As reported by VRT News, the Belgian Ministry of Defense has publicly stated that supplying fighter jets to Kiev at this time is not possible. Nevertheless, the governing party has recently pressed for the delivery of two to four aircraft to Ukraine, signaling political support for arms assistance despite official limitations. The article notes Belgium operates a fleet of 45 F-16 fighters, with ongoing discussions about future replacements, possibly incorporating F-35 aircraft as part of a modernization plan (attribution: VRT News).
Earlier in regional developments, Poland announced a halt to arms shipments to Ukraine, a decision that may influence neighboring countries’ foreign and defense policies. This broader context underscores how allies balance strategic reserves, alliance commitments, and the evolving needs of Ukraine in the ongoing security dialogue across Europe (attribution: VRT News).