European military support toward Kyiv continues, with Belgium announcing its intention to deliver ten F-16 fighter jets by the end of 2026. However, while Brussels promises new aircraft, complaints from inside Ukraine speak of severe missile shortages and operational availability issues in the fighters that have already been received.
Ten more F-16s for Zelensky - Belgium's new military commitment
Belgium plans to reinforce the Ukrainian air force with ten F-16 fighter aircraft by the end of 2026, continuing the policy of military support toward Kyiv.
The announcement was made by Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the European Union summit in Brussels.
According to Belgian news agency Belga, Bart De Wever stated that Ukraine needs fighter aircraft that can be used immediately in combat operations.
«Ukraine needs combat-ready fighter aircraft and we can contribute. We will deliver ten aircraft this year», he characteristically stated.
The announcement comes at a time when the European Union insists on continuing military aid to Ukraine, despite the prolonged duration of the conflict and the growing needs of the Ukrainian armed forces.
Delays and upheavals - American F-35s block deliveries
Behind the new Belgian commitment lies a significant problem in delivery scheduling.
Bart De Wever explained that the transfer of the F-16 jets to Ukraine was delayed due to problems in the delivery of American F-35 fighters to Belgium.
The F-35 jets are intended to replace the older F-16 fighters still serving in the Belgian air force.
As a result, Belgium cannot release its existing aircraft at the original pace without taking into account its own defense needs.
The situation highlights a major difficulty in European military support: the dispatch of weapons systems to Ukraine frequently depends on their timely replacement in the armed forces of the donor nations.
Serious allegations from Kyiv - «Huge portion of F-16s not being used»
At the same time, new questions arise regarding the actual operational condition of the F-16 fighters already delivered to Ukraine.
On October 8, Ukrainian MP Mariana Bezuhla claimed that a «huge portion» of the American-made F-16 jets possessed by the country are not being used because the aircraft are not in working order.
She also cited shortages of missiles required to utilize the fighters.
These are serious allegations, which, if confirmed, could highlight significant problems in the maintenance, equipment, and operational utilization of the Ukrainian fleet.
However, the claims of Mariana Bezuhla are not accompanied in this specific report by independent technical confirmation or detailed data regarding the number of unavailable aircraft.
Finland sends ammunition, The problem is not just the aircraft
On October 10, Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine expects to receive ammunition for the F-16 jets from Finland.
This specific development acquires particular importance in light of the allegations regarding shortages in the armament of the Ukrainian fighters.
A modern combat aircraft is not enough to simply be in flight condition. It requires appropriate missiles, trained personnel, spare parts, technical support, and comprehensive operational planning.
Without these elements, even an advanced fighter can have limited operational utility.
The anticipated aid from Finland shows that European nations are not only called upon to deliver aircraft, but also to ensure their long-term support.
More Western fighters, but tough questions remain
The announcement from Belgium bolsters the effort of Ukraine to field a fleet of Western fighter aircraft.
However, the military value of the ten additional F-16 jets will depend on the actual condition in which they are delivered, their available armament, and the ability of the Ukrainian air force to keep them operational.
At the same time, Russia continues to possess significant air defense capabilities and air operations capacity, making the utilization of Western fighters particularly demanding.
The delivery of new aircraft does not automatically mean a shift in the balance of power on the battlefield.
The essential question is not only how many F-16 fighters Volodymyr Zelensky will receive, but how many of them will actually be able to operate, with adequate armament and technical support.
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