The Netherlands is preparing to deliver 18 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine

With U.S. approval, Denmark and the Netherlands announced in August that they would transfer 61 fighter jets after Ukrainian pilots were trained.

With the re-export of military equipment subject to approval, the government said on Friday that additional tests would be required before the planes could be delivered.

“Today I informed President (Volodymyr) Zelensky about our government’s decision to prepare 18 F-16 fighter jets for delivery to Ukraine,” the Dutch defense minister said in a statement, without specifying a delivery date.

In addition, a number of other criteria, including personnel and infrastructure requirements, must be met before the planes can be delivered for export approval, the statement said.

According to outgoing Prime Minister Marko Rutte, “this decision confirms that the Netherlands is unquestionably committed to providing Ukraine with the support it needs in response to ongoing Russian aggression.”

V. Zelenskis said that he spoke with M. Rutte and thanked him for his support.

“We discussed the events at the front, the situation in the Black Sea and the current military needs of Ukraine,” he added.

Last month, the Netherlands sent the first five F-16 fighter jets to a Romanian air base, where they will be used to train Ukrainian pilots.