Almost one and a half years after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Netherlands has confirmed that it will support Ukraine by supplying F-16 fighter jets.
After paying a visit to the air force base in Eindhoven, Ukrainian President Zelensky and outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced a new deal at a press conference, reports the NOS.
The first countries to supply F-16 jets
Along with the Netherlands, Denmark will also provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter aircrafts.
READ MORE | Here’s how you can help Ukraine from the Netherlands [UPDATED]
The Ukrainian President has been pleading for these aircrafts since the start of the war, but the Netherlands are the first to take the lead and put the pledge on paper.
It’s expected that the Dutch actions will inspire other countries to follow suit.
Uncertainty over some details
Some details of the deal still need to be ironed out between the Netherlands and Ukraine.
Though the Dutch Ministry of Defence has avoided giving an exact number, Zelensky seems to be expecting all 42 jets of the Dutch collection.
In celebration of the agreement, Zelensky posted on social media thanking the Netherlands for the whole fleet of fighter jets.
Glory to Ukraine and THANK YOU to the Netherlands! pic.twitter.com/5JWCZnXsfx— Clare #fella (@clarenafo) August 20, 2023
However many fighter jets make it to Ukraine, it will be a while before they can all be fueled up and put to use. Training to fly an F-16 fighter jet takes about six to eight months, and some spare parts still need to be collected for the entire fleet to work.
Lieutenant General of the Royal Netherlands Army, Mart de Kruif, doesn’t expect them to be in action in Ukraine before the winter, writes the NOS.
What do you think about the Netherlands’ contribution to Ukraine? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
Feature image: Depositphotos/Canva
Top. Since russians aren’t falling back the only way to stop the war is to give us big guns, and F16 is a big flying shooting bombing gun.
Thanks The Netherlands, and thanks Dutch review for covering the story of my country through the eyes of a Dutch expat.