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| Netherlands Seriously Considers Delivery of F-16 Fighter Jets to Ukraine |
International Military - The Dutch government is seriously considering the delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, but has not made a final decision. This was stated by the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, Friday (26/5/2023).
Earlier this week, the Netherlands said it wanted to start training Ukrainian pilots in flying F-16 fighter jets as soon as possible. Similar training for Ukrainian pilots will also be carried out by the United States (US).
Asked whether the Netherlands would send fighter jets to Ukraine, Rutte told a news conference that no final decision had been made. However, he added, that "if you start training it's obviously something you take seriously". "Any decision to deliver the F-16s is contingent on approval from the US to do so," Rutte said, as quoted by Reuters.
He added that the Netherlands could potentially have the fighter jets to continue, as it is currently phasing out the F-16s. According to figures from the Dutch Ministry of Defence, the country currently has 24 operational F-16 fighter jets which will be retired by mid-2024. While another 18 jets are currently available for sale, 12 of them have been temporarily sold.
Last week, US President Joe Biden endorsed a training program for Ukrainian pilots on the F-16 and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky assured Biden that the plane would not be used to cross into Russian territory. The West says it wants to help Ukraine defeat Russia, but has repeatedly said it does not want to trigger a direct confrontation between the US-backed NATO military alliance and Russia.