From Aviation HQ@2:292/854 to All on Mon May 29 20:03:49 2023
It is likely that the Netherlands will supply F-16s to Ukraine, Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren hinted on Friday after the Council of Ministers. The Netherlands has already promised to train Ukrainian pilots in the aircraft "and then you assume that Ukraine will also fly with the F-16 at some point. That still requires a separate decision". Press agency Bloomberg also reports on the basis of anonymous sources that the Netherlands will probably supply the airplanes.
The Netherlands is now making the switch to the F-35, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter. According to Ollongren, F-16s will therefore be available "at a moment". She does emphasize, however, that a decision still have to be taken by the countries that are working together. The Netherlands is working closely with Denmark, Belgium and the United Kingdom in this area. Norway, Poland and Portugal have now also joined the alliance.
Pilots are first trained in Denmark and then possibly at other locations. It is also not known how long the training lasts. "We will have to find out a bit together. Ukraine will undoubtedly be able to send experienced pilots, but we have to see what they can do."