Belgium has postponed its planned delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, pushing the timeline back to 2026. Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever confirmed the delay ahead of a meeting with European Union leaders in Brussels.
The postponement is linked to Belgium’s wait for new F-35 fighter jets, which are set to replace its current F-16 fleet. However, De Wever did not provide specific details on when the F-35s are expected to arrive.
While the F-16s were originally intended to bolster Ukraine’s combat capabilities, the revised schedule means they will not be available for use until 2026.
Before the EU summit, De Wever also held discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
