Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte said the state was “seriously considering” sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. This is reported Reuters with reference to the Prime Minister’s press conference.
Rutte said that a final decision on the supply of F-16s to Ukraine has not yet been made. However, he added: “If you start training, it is obvious that this [передача. – Ред.] what you are seriously considering.”
The prime minister noted that any decision to send the F-16 was subject to US permission.
He added that the Netherlands would potentially have fighter jets to hand over to Ukraine as the state is now gradually decommissioning its F-16s.
The Dutch MoD says they currently have 24 F-16s operational and will be taken out of service by mid-2024.
Another 18 aircraft are available for purchase, 12 of which have already been pre-sold.
- May 21, 2023 President of the United States Joe Biden officially announcedthat the US military will start training Ukrainian pilots for the F-16.
- May 26 edition of Bloomberg reportedthat the Netherlands can send F-16s to Ukraine after pilot training.
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