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First F-16s Should Be In Ukraine This Summer, Says Dutch Defense Minister

Dutch Defense Minister Kaisa Ollongren
Dutch Defense Minister Kaisa Ollongren

KYIV -- Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren says Ukraine should receive its first F-16 fighter jets this summer as Europe pushes to aid Kyiv amid complications sparked by a stalled aid package in the U.S. Congress.

Ollongren told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service during a visit to Kyiv on March 21 that a plan to deliver 24 F-16s jets is on track, with the first aircraft coming from Denmark.

"I think we are on track to see deliveries, first Danish this summer, and then we're going to scale up," she said while declining to give the exact number of planes involved in the first delivery.

"We know that we will start with the Danish F-16s, that is now in our planning and in the Ukrainian planning. And in the end, I mean, it doesn't matter anymore. If it's a Dutch or Danish or Norwegian F-16 because [the planes are] going to be Ukrainian."

The arrival of the fighter jets will be a long-awaited development to help Kyiv fill a crucial hole in its defense capabilities.

Russia has used its more advanced and more numerous jets to repeatedly bomb Ukrainian cities, slow its counteroffensive, and threaten its ships exporting grain crucial to its economic survival, making Kyiv’s acquisition of modern U.S. jets a key ingredient to its successful defense of the country.

Ukraine inherited an aging fleet of Soviet MiG and Sukhoi jets that lack the strike depth and technology of modern Russian jets, putting Kyiv at a significant disadvantage in the war. Ukraine also has a much smaller fleet than Russia.

The more advanced F-16s would allow Ukrainian pilots to strike deep into Russian controlled areas and with great accuracy, intercept missiles that have terrorized Ukraine cities, and take on Russian jets that threaten its shipping lanes.

Ollongren said the key to the effectiveness of the jets will be the training of both pilots and technical staff to ensure they operate at peak performance.

"It is of no use if you don't know how to use [them] most effectively, and that requires training and that requires the right people for the maintenance and the right infrastructure. So when you get [them], you know that you will be able to use [them]," she said.

"So once...Ukraine gets the F-16, everything has to be in place, including, of course, how to protect them."

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the country has been backed by the United States, the European Union, and other Western allies.

Kyiv Slammed By Russian Missile Barrage, Injuring Civilians

Viewed from an apartment whose windows were blown out, a ladder truck stands near a residential area that had earlier caught fire following a Russian missile attack in Kyiv on March 21.<br /> <br /> The first large Russian attack against the capital in recent weeks targeted the city with both ballistic and cruise missiles, according to Serhiy Popko, the head of its military administration.
1/13 Viewed from an apartment whose windows were blown out, a ladder truck stands near a residential area that had earlier caught fire following a Russian missile attack in Kyiv on March 21.

The first large Russian attack against the capital in recent weeks targeted the city with both ballistic and cruise missiles, according to Serhiy Popko, the head of its military administration.
Russia launched a missile attack on Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, early on March 21, injuring at least 10 people and damaging residential buildings and industrial facilities, city officials said.
A flash from the explosion of a missile illuminates the capital city of Kyiv during a Russian missile strike on March 21. Authorities reported that at least 10 people were injured, including an 11-year-old girl.
2/13 A flash from the explosion of a missile illuminates the capital city of Kyiv during a Russian missile strike on March 21. Authorities reported that at least 10 people were injured, including an 11-year-old girl.
Russia launched a missile attack on Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, early on March 21, injuring at least 10 people and damaging residential buildings and industrial facilities, city officials said.
Firefighters work near a bomb crater after the Russian attack in Kyiv. Early reports said that there were at least three districts in the capital that suffered damage, including residential areas and a transformer substation.
3/13 Firefighters work near a bomb crater after the Russian attack in Kyiv. Early reports said that there were at least three districts in the capital that suffered damage, including residential areas and a transformer substation.
Russia launched a missile attack on Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, early on March 21, injuring at least 10 people and damaging residential buildings and industrial facilities, city officials said.
A firefighter stands amid the debris following the missile attack.<br /> <br /> AFP journalists reported around 10 large blasts. Ukrainian air-defense forces shot down &quot;about three dozen enemy missiles, including ballistic missiles, over Kyiv and in the vicinity of the capital,&quot; the city&#39;s military administration said on Telegram, adding that the raid lasted three hours.
4/13 A firefighter stands amid the debris following the missile attack.

AFP journalists reported around 10 large blasts. Ukrainian air-defense forces shot down "about three dozen enemy missiles, including ballistic missiles, over Kyiv and in the vicinity of the capital," the city's military administration said on Telegram, adding that the raid lasted three hours.
Russia launched a missile attack on Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, early on March 21, injuring at least 10 people and damaging residential buildings and industrial facilities, city officials said.
The aftermath showing blown out windows at a residential home.
5/13 The aftermath showing blown out windows at a residential home.
Russia launched a missile attack on Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, early on March 21, injuring at least 10 people and damaging residential buildings and industrial facilities, city officials said.
A man stands near damaged vehicles.<br /> <br /> &quot;After a pause of 44 days, the enemy launched another missile attack on Kyiv,&quot; he said. &quot;All emergency services are working at the sites. Clearing the consequences of the missile attack is under way,&quot; Popko said.
6/13 A man stands near damaged vehicles.

"After a pause of 44 days, the enemy launched another missile attack on Kyiv," he said. "All emergency services are working at the sites. Clearing the consequences of the missile attack is under way," Popko said.
Russia launched a missile attack on Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, early on March 21, injuring at least 10 people and damaging residential buildings and industrial facilities, city officials said.
Popko added that the Russian military used strategic bombers and also launched missiles from its territory.
7/13 Popko added that the Russian military used strategic bombers and also launched missiles from its territory.
Russia launched a missile attack on Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, early on March 21, injuring at least 10 people and damaging residential buildings and industrial facilities, city officials said.
First responders help residents leave their homes following the missile attack.
8/13 First responders help residents leave their homes following the missile attack.
Russia launched a missile attack on Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, early on March 21, injuring at least 10 people and damaging residential buildings and industrial facilities, city officials said.
Rocket fragments fell onto a kindergarten in the Sviatoshynskiy district of the capital, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, while an apartment building and a car caught fire in other areas of the city.
9/13 Rocket fragments fell onto a kindergarten in the Sviatoshynskiy district of the capital, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, while an apartment building and a car caught fire in other areas of the city.
Russia launched a missile attack on Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, early on March 21, injuring at least 10 people and damaging residential buildings and industrial facilities, city officials said.
City employees work to clear the debris following the attack near a residential building.
10/13 City employees work to clear the debris following the attack near a residential building.
Russia launched a missile attack on Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, early on March 21, injuring at least 10 people and damaging residential buildings and industrial facilities, city officials said.
A city employee begins clearing up near shattered cars in a residential parking lot.
11/13 A city employee begins clearing up near shattered cars in a residential parking lot.
Russia launched a missile attack on Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, early on March 21, injuring at least 10 people and damaging residential buildings and industrial facilities, city officials said.
Residents huddled outside in the cold while emergency responders arrived at the attack sites.
12/13 Residents huddled outside in the cold while emergency responders arrived at the attack sites.
Russia launched a missile attack on Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, early on March 21, injuring at least 10 people and damaging residential buildings and industrial facilities, city officials said.
A woman comforts a child.
13/13 A woman comforts a child.
Russia launched a missile attack on Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, early on March 21, injuring at least 10 people and damaging residential buildings and industrial facilities, city officials said.
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But a new $60-billion aid package to Ukraine has been stalled in the U.S. House of Representatives as Republican lawmakers demand deep changes to domestic immigration policy.

With Washington's funding spigots turned off for the time being, the European Union has been moving to increase its assistance.

Earlier this week, the European Council approved the creation of the Ukraine Assistance Fund (UAF) and earmarked 5 billion euros ($5.4 billion) for it to be used for the provision of both "lethal and nonlethal military equipment and training."

Ollongren said the holdup in the United States on new aid is "a bit frustrating," but given the threat Russia's aggression poses to Europe, the 27-nation EU will continue to push to increase aid levels.

"We are working on increasing production levels...For Ukraine, it's an existential threat. But for Europe, it's also an existential threat. So it is in our best interest," to continue aid to Kyiv, she said.

"It's also in the America's best interest to continue that support and to step it up and to do more," she added.

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