Netherlands plan to deliver F-16 to Ukraine
The Dutch government announced its plan to prepare the delivery of 18 F-16 fighter jets to the Ukrainian army. |
According to the Fars News Agency, the Dutch government announced on Friday that it is preparing and coordinating the delivery of 18 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine in order to strengthen its army in the war against Russia.
According to the Reuters news agency, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte wrote in a post on the X social network: “Today I informed Ukrainian President Zelensky that our government has decided to prepare the delivery of an initial shipment of 18 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.”
The Dutch Prime Minister continued: The most important elements of the agreements reached are on military support for Kiev.”
According to Reuters, this decision of the Netherlands was taken in order to address Ukraine’s growing concerns about the weakening of the support of Western allies.
“Kaisa Ollongren”, the Minister of Defense of the Netherlands, also sent a letter to the parliament of his country and explained the plan to grant these sophisticated fighters to Ukraine. It was the first time in the summer season that the program of granting F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine by the Western allies was officially reflected after the approval of US President Joe Biden.
The decision of the Dutch government on Friday is a fundamental step to implement the sending of these advanced American fighters to the sky of Ukraine, but the exact date of the delivery of these fighters by the Netherlands was not specified.
Ruthe announced, It is awaiting the issuance of an export license by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and the fulfillment of criteria in the areas of infrastructure and personnel in Ukraine. These fighters will be prepared for delivery.
The Minister of Defense of the Netherlands claimed that Ukraine will be able to better defend itself by receiving these fighters, and their delivery to Kiev and the continued support of his country to Ukraine The reason why Russia’s attacks show no sign of ending is very important.
Last August, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited a military airbase located in the southern city of Eindhoven. Holland went to check two of these fighters. This happened on the same day that the Netherlands and Denmark announced their initial decision to grant these fighters to Ukraine.
Last month, Romania opened an international F-16 training center Ukrainian forces announced with the participation of its allies, including the NATO coalition.
According to Romania’s statement, the fighters used in this training center by the Netherlands and the trainers and maintenance personnel of this center were also provided by the company. American Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of these fighters, will be supplied.
The Dutch government announced that before the delivery of these fighters, Ukrainian pilots must have completed F-16 pilot training, and Ukraine has infrastructure has prepared the deployment of these fighters in its territory.
Last month in August, American sources reported that Joe Biden’s administration will provide Ukraine with F-16 fighters by the Netherlands and Denmark, after the completion of the program The training of Ukrainian pilots has agreed to fly these warplanes.
After this statement by the Biden government, Denmark and the Netherlands also agreed under the pressure and green light of the United States that part of the F fighters deliver their 16-16 to Ukraine.
Late last summer, during his visit to Kiev, the Prime Minister of Norway announced the delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine along with the Netherlands and Denmark.
Volodymyr Zelensky, since the beginning of the Ukraine war, repeatedly demanded the sending of the F-16 fighter by the Western allies due to its destructive power and global availability. The F-16 is equipped with a 2mm cannon and is capable of carrying bombs, missiles and rockets.
Russian authorities have emphasized in response to the decision of Western countries to send fighter jets to Ukraine that the decision to provide these warplanes to Ukraine will only intensify the war and prolong the process of Russia’s special military operations.
publisher | Fars News |