Belgium has announced a military aid package worth 977 million euros for Ukraine.
During a meeting in Brussels on May 28, 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo signed a bilateral security pact.
This agreement outlines Belgium's long-term support and military aid for Ukraine, including the provision of 30 F-16 fighter jets.
HERE'S THE KICKER: However, a small fleet of F-16s may not be enough to be a game changer, as it will provide a beneficial impact for Ukrainian forces but likely not enough to reverse the course of the war, thus requiring even more substantial aid.
PRESS RELEASE FROM UKRAINE PRESIDENT OFFICE:
2 years later, Zelenskyy is now "getting acquainted" with F-16 training for Ukrainian pilots??
At the Melsbroek Air Base, Volodymyr Zelenskyy Got Acquainted with the Process of Training for the F-16 Aircraft Use in Ukraine
28 May 2024 - 18:09
During his working visit to Belgium, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the Melsbroek military base. He viewed F-16 fighter jets and talked with Belgian pilot instructors and Ukrainian military personnel training there.
The Head of State was informed in detail about the combat characteristics and technical specifications of the aircraft, as well as about the training of Ukrainian pilots on the F-16s. The Belgian pilot instructors noted the high motivation of their Ukrainian colleagues.
In addition, Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who are undergoing training in fighter jet maintenance. They told him that they have experienced instructors, receive all important information and want to return to Ukraine as soon as possible to perform combat missions and speed up our victory.
“I wish you a good completion of your training. Thank you very much, we are counting on you, and we are waiting for you at home,” the President said.
The Head of State was informed in detail about the combat characteristics and technical specifications of the aircraft, as well as about the training of Ukrainian pilots on the F-16s. The Belgian pilot instructors noted the high motivation of their Ukrainian colleagues.
In addition, Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who are undergoing training in fighter jet maintenance. They told him that they have experienced instructors, receive all important information and want to return to Ukraine as soon as possible to perform combat missions and speed up our victory.
“I wish you a good completion of your training. Thank you very much, we are counting on you, and we are waiting for you at home,” the President said.
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Belgium first country in the world to confirm the delivery of F-16s fighter jets to Ukraine
Ukraine Situation Report: First Of 30 Belgian F-16s To Be Delivered “This Year”
Zelenskyy announced on social media that this historic agreement ensures Belgium's unwavering support for the next decade.
He specified that, for the first time, there is a clear commitment for the delivery of 30 F-16s fighter jets, with the first deliveries set to begin this year - and to be completed by 2028.
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( Picture Source: US DoD)
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Zelenskyy announced on social media that this historic agreement ensures Belgium's unwavering support for the next decade. He specified that, for the first time, there is a clear commitment for the delivery of 30 F-16 fighter jets, with the first deliveries set to begin this year and to be completed by 2028.
Previously, Belgium had announced its intention to deliver F-16s but had not specified the exact number.
Zelenskyy emphasized that the F-16s are a crucial element of Ukraine's defense strategy, enhancing the capabilities of its air force.
Zelenskyy emphasized that the F-16s are a crucial element of Ukraine's defense strategy, enhancing the capabilities of its air force.
However, this statement is nuanced by some high-ranking Ukrainian officials who believed that F-16s were relevant in 2023 but may be less so in 2024, and even less by 2028.
Additionally, it covers military training and defense industry cooperation, all designed to meet Ukraine's comprehensive security needs.
Several countries have committed to sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine to bolster its defense capabilities against Russian aggression.
Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway have joined Belgium in this effort.
- Denmark plans to deliver 19 F-16s, with the first batch expected in the second quarter of 2024, once pilot training is completed.
- The Netherlands has committed to providing 42 F-16s, with deliveries also set to begin in 2024.
- Norway has promised 2 F-16s to support Ukraine's air defense efforts.
- Greece has also discussed the potential delivery of 32 F-16C/D fighters.
A Belgian F-16 fighter jet that is a part of Operation Guardian Falcon.
( Picture Source: US DoD)v
As part of his visit to Brussels, Zelenskyy will also tour a military airbase, where he will meet instructors training Ukrainian pilots to operate US-made F-16 fighter jets.
This initiative aligns with a broader effort by European allies to provide advanced military aircraft to Ukraine, with Belgium hoping to start deliveries this year.
The F-16 Fighting Falcon, also known as the F-16A/B, is a multi-role aircraft originally built by General Dynamics, now Lockheed Martin. Designed for great versatility, this aircraft has been in service since its commissioning on August 17, 1978, and remains operational today.
Its first flight took place on February 2, 1974.
The advanced avionics of the F-16 include fly-by-wire controls, a head-up display, a HOTAS (Hands On Throttle-And-Stick) configuration, and various radars, including the AN/APG-66, AN/APG-68, and more recently, the AN/APG-83 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. It also features a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) radar, an ALR-56M radar warning receiver, a GPS, Link 16 for communications, and an AN/ALQ-131 electronic warfare pod.
The commitment to provide 30 F-16 fighters by Belgium represents a significant boost to the Ukrainian air force, enhancing its ability to defend against ongoing threats and ensuring long-term support from European allies.
- This aircraft is equipped with a Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 turbofan engine with an afterburner, producing a thrust of 79 kN without an afterburner and 130 kN with. The F-16 features a wingspan of 9.8 meters, a length of 14.8 meters, a height of 4.8 meters, and a wing area of 27.87 m². Empty, it weighs 8,272 kg, but with armament, it can reach a weight of 12,000 kg, with a maximum mass of 16,900 kg.
- The F-16 is capable of reaching a maximum speed of 2,173 km/h (Mach 2.04) and can climb to a ceiling of 15,200 meters. Its climb rate is 15,240 meters per minute, and it has a range of 550 km. The thrust-to-weight ratio of this aircraft is 0.90, which, combined with a wing loading of 431 kg/m², gives it great agility and exceptional maneuvering capabilities.
The advanced avionics of the F-16 include fly-by-wire controls, a head-up display, a HOTAS (Hands On Throttle-And-Stick) configuration, and various radars, including the AN/APG-66, AN/APG-68, and more recently, the AN/APG-83 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. It also features a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) radar, an ALR-56M radar warning receiver, a GPS, Link 16 for communications, and an AN/ALQ-131 electronic warfare pod.
The commitment to provide 30 F-16 fighters by Belgium represents a significant boost to the Ukrainian air force, enhancing its ability to defend against ongoing threats and ensuring long-term support from European allies.
However, a small fleet of F-16s may not be enough to be a game changer, as it will provide a beneficial impact for Ukrainian forces but likely not enough to reverse the course of the war, thus requiring even more substantial aid.
RELATED CONTENT UPLOADED ON THIS BLOG
28 May 2024
ONE-FOR-THE-MONEY + TWO-FOR-THE-SHOW: Zelenskyy Meets F-16 Crews At Melsbroek Airbase As Belgium Readies Fighter Jets To Send To Ukraine
Delivery imminent soon...or 2025?
How's this for being vague ---
Belgium will send 30 of its F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine in the coming years,
Uploaded: May 28, 2024
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy looks at F16 aircrafts at the military airport in Brussels.
This is while Zelensky is visiting Belgium with an agenda of signing a bilateral security agreement ...
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If you recall, as per BulgarianMilitary.com, Denmark and the Netherlands were the first two European countries given the go-ahead by America to re-export F-16s.
Both nations pledged to send F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine in their quest to support their defense against Russia’s invasion, starting in February 2022. Denmark promised to send 19 F-16s, while the Netherlands committed to providing 18. These commitments are key components of the West’s strategy to offer assistance to Ukraine.
The Danish Defense Ministry, as cited by Berlingske, underscored that the timeline for delivering aircraft is contingent upon several factors. It clarified that the successful instruction and readiness of Ukrainian pilots, along with sufficiency in logistics and necessary infrastructure for aircraft maintenance in Ukraine, dictate the schedule
The Danish Defense Ministry, as cited by Berlingske, underscored that the timeline for delivering aircraft is contingent upon several factors. It clarified that the successful instruction and readiness of Ukrainian pilots, along with sufficiency in logistics and necessary infrastructure for aircraft maintenance in Ukraine, dictate the schedule
Ukrainians aren’t ready, so we’re delaying F-16 delivery – Denmark
It appears Denmark may postpone the delivery of the promised F-16 aircraft to Ukraine.
The setback is anticipated to last a minimum of six months, with local news outlets projecting a probable timeline as the “third quarter” of 2024.
This development was reported by the Danish news outlet, Berlingske, citing sources from Denmark’s Defense Ministry.
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