The media recalls that the first promises to transfer aircraft to the Ukrainian army were made in 2022–2023, and it was the Norwegian government that guaranteed their support as part of military assistance.
However, for now all aircraft are being serviced at the Belgian service center SABENA, where they are being prepared for operation.
According to Sandvik, Ukraine, in consultation with donor countries, determines the priorities of work – the preparation of new aircraft or the maintenance of those already in Ukraine.
The minister confirmed that ownership of the aircraft was transferred to Ukraine in 2024–2025. At the same time, he explained that 32 F-16 fighters, which were in the best condition, were transferred to Romania to strengthen NATO.
“It was well known that the aircraft needed extensive training. Unlike Denmark and the Netherlands, which were still operating the F-16 system in 2023 and could transfer the aircraft directly from operational service, the government decided to donate the aircraft to Ukraine as this was considered a better option than not transferring them at all,” Sandvik said.
In early March, it became known that Belgium had not transferred any of the 30 F-16s promised to Ukraine. According to Major General Geert De Dekker, one of the reasons is the delay in the F-35, which the country should receive instead of the F-16.
