2023-09-21 16:54:38
Attacks revolve around Belgian military aid to Ukraine. In recent days, Les Engagés MP Georges Dallemagne and Deputy Prime Minister David Clarinval have criticized the Belgian government for not delivering F-16s to Ukraine while two other European countries have committed to doing so (Denmark and the Netherlands). Belgium will support these deliveries with training and maintenance capabilities, which were announced last week.
“In May, the government agreed to enter the F-16 coalition,” recalls the Evening Defense Minister Ludivine Dedonder (PS). “We didn’t know how to deliver F-16s. It’s not that we didn’t want to, since they were still fully operational. » Last Friday, during a Kern, the MR asked if it was nevertheless possible to deliver fighter planes. “I will not allow myself to weaken defense as some did during the previous government. » Especially since the delivery of the F-35s, which must replace the F-16s at the end of their life, is delaying.
“It is not a question of principle but we must guarantee the security of our airspace. It is fundamental for the security of the population while Brussels is the seat of European institutions, of NATO… We must have fighter planes ready to take off in the event of suspicious aircraft,” defends the minister, who is committed to providing an analysis on the operationality of the F-16. According to the MR, the scope of this work should make it possible to determine whether F-16s can be given to Ukraine. And on Monday, on Bel-RTL, David Clarinval estimated that two to four of these devices might be transferred to Ukraine next year – an opinion shared by MP Denis Ducarme (MR).
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