Netherlands Pledges €300M Worth of Weapons for Incoming Ukrainian F-16s; Norway to Donate 6 Jets

The Netherlands has announced its intention to transfer weapons worth €300 million to arm F-16 combat jets destined for Ukraine, while Norway has committed to donating six F-16 jets to the country.

This allocation supplements the initial €150 million earmarked for the same purpose, as confirmed by the Dutch defense ministry.

The weaponry, sourced directly from industry purchases, aims to ensure that Ukrainian forces not only possess operational F-16s but also have the necessary armament to effectively deploy these aircraft.

NATO leaders, in a joint declaration, pledged €40 billion in military aid to Ukraine, aiming to enhance predictability and mitigate delays in U.S. assistance. At the NATO Summit in Washington, it was announced that the process to transfer F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine is underway, with operational deployment expected as early as this summer. The Netherlands, in collaboration with Denmark and the United States under the Air Force Capability Coalition (AFCC), leads efforts to bolster Ukraine's military capabilities.

In addition to contributing 18 F-16s for the European training center in Romania, the Netherlands plans to transfer 24 Dutch F-16s directly to Ukraine. The specifics of these transfers are being handled with caution to maintain operational security, as per Ukraine's explicit request.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden acknowledged Denmark and the Netherlands for initiating the delivery of U.S.-manufactured F-16 jets to Ukraine. He also highlighted additional pledges, including new air defense systems and potential missile placements in Germany.

Norway has also joined the coalition of nations supporting Ukraine by committing to donate six F-16 fighter jets. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre affirmed Norway's intention to begin these donations in 2024, following the phase-out of its aging F-16 fleet last year.