2023-05-20 15:11:01
It remains to be seen who will agree to supply the fighter planes. In any case, it will not be the United States itself, the producing country with the largest stock of F-16s. On January 30, Joe Biden ruled out the possibility of a direct delivery of his own F-16s. On the other hand, he gave the green light for other countries that have them to donate them to Ukraine.
And in this context, even if the United Kingdom is on the initiative with the Netherlands ofa “coalition internationale“ to help Kyiv obtain “air combat capabilities“, neither will the British. The reason is simple: they don’t.
The Ukrainians will therefore have to knock on other doors. In recent years, several countries have decided to part with their F-16s and replace them with more modern models. This is particularly the case of Belgium, which has decided to replace part of its stock with thirty-four new F-35 aircraft. However, our country will not donate its old devices to Ukraine.
Ludivine Dedonder (PS), Minister of Defence, affirmed last Wednesday in the Defense Committee of the Chamber that “nF-16 bones have gradually reached the end of their life cycle“. “Unable to donate“, assures the minister. “We also need for our national missions and within the framework of our international obligations“.
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