Netherlands to offer 6 more F-16s for Ukraine Air Force.

In a tweet posted on February 5, General Onno Eichelsheim, from the Netherlands' Ministry of Defense, wrote that the Netherlands has stopped discussions about the possible sale of 6 F-16 fighter aircraft which will then be donated for Ukrainian pilots’ training.
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For years, the F-16 formed the most important part of the Royal Netherlands Air Force's strike force. This role has now been taken over by the F-35. All F-16s are being disposed of (Picture source: Dutch MoD)

The Dutch Government held discussions with the Draken International company. Both parties have concluded that the sale and delivery of these F-16s will not take place in the short term. Minister Kajsa Ollongren and State Secretary Christophe van der Maat reported.

The Netherlands had made agreements with the international company in 2021 for the sale of 12 F-16s. With these aircraft, Draken would expand its own fleet with fourth-generation aircraft. The company wants to compete for orders and tenders. However, this sale did not go through, after which the Netherlands offered Draken the opportunity to purchase 6 F-16s in the future. This would happen under conditions yet to be determined. Now that the talks with Draken have ended, this is no longer the case.

The 6 aircraft will now be added to the 18 F-16s that are being prepared for delivery to Ukraine. The remaining 18 aircraft are intended for an F-16 training center in Romania.

For years, the F-16 formed the most important part of the Royal Netherlands Air Force's strike force. This role has now been taken over by the F-35. All F-16s are being disposed of.