Netherlands boosts Ukraine's defences with 2025 jet delivery

At the end of January 2025, Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov announced that the Netherlands would deliver another batch of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. This decision followed a meeting with Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans in The Hague. The two ministers discussed strengthening Ukraine's air capabilities and ongoing training programmes for Ukrainian pilots and technicians.

The Netherlands plays a key role in Ukraine's efforts to bolster its air defences. In August 2024, the first F-16s, specifically the F-16A/B Block 20 MLU models, arrived in Ukraine. These upgraded aircraft have significantly improved Ukraine's ability to counter threats from Russia, including missile and drone attacks.

The delivery of F-16s is part of a broader NATO support coalition. Initially, in August 2023, a plan to deliver 42 F-16 fighter jets was announced. Since then, the number has increased to about 65, thanks to additional commitments from the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Belgium, as noted by Army Recognition.

F-16A/B Block 20 MLU is an updated version of the iconic F-16 Fighting Falcon multirole fighter jet. "MLU" stands for "Mid-Life Update," a programme designed to extend the aircraft's service life and adapt it to modern battlefield requirements. This variant was developed with F-16A/B users in mind, mainly European countries like Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands, which operated older versions of the aircraft and required updates without purchasing new models.

Thanks to this modernisation, the F-16A/B Block 20 MLU can carry a wide array of modern missile and bomb systems. It can be equipped with AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles. Additionally, the aircraft can carry laser-guided and GPS-guided bombs, such as the GBU-12 Paveway II or JDAM.