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BULGARIAN MILITARY
The Dutch government is going all out to ensure the F-16 fighter jets headed to Ukraine become formidable operational weapons. Recent reports indicate Amsterdam has decided to increase its military aid in the F-16 armament sector threefold. In simpler terms – the ammunition planned by the Netherlands for these F-16s has been tripled.
This military aid package has now surged to an impressive 450 million euros [$487 million], up from 150 million euros just a few hours ago. The Netherlands confirmed this update on July 10. “It’s not enough for Ukrainians just to fly the F-16s,” said Netherlands Minister of Defense Ruben Brekelmans. “They must be able to fully deploy them. Armament is crucial. The ammunition we’ve purchased will help the F-16s repel Russian attacks. Russia must not win this war; our security depends on it.”
The Dutch are transferring 24 F-16AM/BM Block 15 Mid-Life Update [MLU] aircraft to Ukraine, and an additional 18 to the European F-16 Training Center in Romania. Additionally, Belgium, Denmark, and Norway are donating 30, 19, and six F-16AM/BM Block 15 MLUs, respectively. This brings the total to 79 F-16AM/BM Block 15 MLU aircraft being transferred, with potentially more to come.
In April, it was revealed that the Netherlands intended to provide ammunition for the F-16 fighter jets for 150 million euros [approximately 162 million USD]. This move involves the Netherlands purchasing air-to-ground munitions directly from the manufacturer, showcasing their commitment to bolstering defense capabilities.
The F-16 aircraft, known for its versatility and combat prowess, features nine hardpoints for weapon payloads: one at the tip of each wing, three under each wing, and one centerline under the fuselage. Among the air-to-surface missiles carried by the F-16 are the Maverick, HARM, and Shrike missiles from Raytheon. Additionally, it can be equipped with anti-ship missiles such as the Boeing Harpoon and Kongsberg Penguin.
Recently, the Netherlands has intensified its supply of F-16s, leading the supply chain effort. On July 2, Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren approved the export of 24 F-16s to Ukraine, indicating a significant strategic move. This decision could potentially lead to direct engagements with Russian forces, as noted by Greek media, suggesting these jets “will soon face Russian fighters.”
According to the Dutch government’s recent actions, it seems Ukraine already has some trained pilots capable of flying the F-16. This is a significant development as the primary condition for delivery was that Ukrainian pilots needed to be trained. However, it’s still uncertain if the Ukrainian F-16s will achieve full operational capability. Having skilled pilots and aircraft is merely the beginning; many challenges remain, especially for pilots transitioning from MiG-29s or Su-27s.
There’s an ongoing debate about whether Ukraine can effectively operate F-16s, given concerns over their ability to sustain the necessary maintenance and logistics for such advanced jets.
British analysts suggest that Ukraine’s air force might use bases in NATO countries to shield against Russian attacks. Notably, Romania has established an F-16 training center for Ukrainian pilots to learn on American platforms. Fortunately, since the F-16 is widely used, there are already robust supply chains and spare parts available, as noted by GlobalData defense analyst Tristan Sauer, so supply issues are not anticipated.
The Guardian reported that the initial batch of F-16 fighter jets destined for Kyiv will be strategically stationed in the Kharkiv region, an area where Russian forces currently have air dominance.
Amidst the intense battles near Kharkiv, Russian troops have been deploying precision-guided bombs, posing significant challenges to Ukrainian defenses. Ukrainian forces aim to utilize these Western aviation assets to neutralize such threats effectively. Numerous Ukrainian sources have indicated that these F-16s will primarily focus on countering the current threats in Kharkiv.