The Netherlands and Denmark will send dozens of F-16 fighters to Ukraine

After meeting with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Volodymyr Zelensky said the Netherlands had promised 42 F-16s. Photo: Kseniya Kuleshova/Bloomberg

The Netherlands and Denmark have pledged to send dozens of spare F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, marking the first firm commitment by NATO allies to transfer modern combat aircraft.

After meeting with Mark Rutte, the Dutch Prime Minister Minister in Amsterdam Volodymyr Zelensky said the Netherlands had promised 42 F-16s.

“Forty-two aircraft, and this is just the beginning. Thank you Netherlands! he said.

Mr. Rutte said the final number of F-16s transferred has not yet been agreed, but the deal is still an important step.

“This is the next step in our support for Ukraine. A long-term move that sends a clear message: we will continue to support Ukraine,” he said.

On Sunday, Denmark confirmed it would send 19 fighter jets.

F-16 fighter in a hangar in the Netherlands during Vladimir Zelensky's tour Photo: Ksenia Kuleshova/Bloomberg

Zelenskiy visited Denmark later on Sunday, and Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said at a joint press conference that «hopefully» six F-16s could be delivered by New Year's Day, eight more next year, and the remaining five in 2025.

The United States on Friday approved the transfer of F-16 fighter jets from Denmark and the Netherlands to Ukraine. NATO members have said they are upgrading their air force to more modern F-35 combat aircraft and will have spare F-16s.

Mr. Zelensky pleaded with Western supporters of Ukraine to send F-16s to challenge Russia. dominance of the skies over Ukrainian battlefields.

Ukraine's neighbors such as Poland and Slovakia have already donated their Soviet-era fighter jets, but have said they don't have enough F-16s to hand over to Ukraine.

Ukrainian pilots have started work. English language training prior to F-16 flight training at a center in Romania. US officials have said it is unlikely that Ukrainian F-16s will fly combat sorties before next summer.

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Russian military bloggers have said the West will eventually send a range of different Western fighter jets to Ukraine.

They said that Ukrainian pilots could be trained to fly French Mirage fighter jets and that Mr. Zelenskiy was in talks with the Swedish government this week about the transfer of Gripen combat aircraft.

“A similar situation took shape before the appearance of modern Western tanks and other armored vehicles on the front. Each of the Western leaders announced the same action one after another,” said Rybar, who has about 1.2 million subscribers.