The Dutch Ministry of Defense has stopped the sale of a batch of F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters to the company Draken from the United States, informed the folder. Negotiated since last year, the six planes will be transferred to Ukraine. 

As announced by Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren and Secretary of State Christophe van der Maat, the new donation brings to 24 the number of F-16 fighters that the Netherlands will donate to the Ukrainian Air Force, which is eagerly awaiting the 'new' planes. Alongside Denmark, the country is leading a coalition of countries that are transferring their fighter jets to Ukraine and providing training so that pilots and mechanics can operate and maintain the aircraft. "Ukraine's air superiority is essential to combat Russian aggression.”, highlighted Ollongren. 

Draken is a North American company that provides aerial combat training services to military organizations, such as the US Air Force itself, something commonly called Red Air. Although it is an important player in this market, Draken does not have 4th class fighters. generation unlike Canada's Top Aces, which uses F-16 jets purchased from Israel. 

To expand its fleet of combat aircraft, the company began looking for F-16 fighters on the market and in June 2021, it signed the purchase of 12 aircraft retired by the Royal Netherlands Air Force. The agreement, however, ended up failing and in 2023 the parties returned to the negotiating table, discussing the purchase of six planes.

On Monday (05), the Ministry of Defense confirmed that the planes are no longer for sale. “The Netherlands has stopped discussions on the possible sale of six F-16 fighters. The State held discussions with the company Draken International. Both parties have reached the conclusion that the sale and delivery of these F-16s will not occur in the short term.”, says to note of the Dutch government. 

“The 6 aircraft will now be added to the 18 F-16s being prepared for delivery to Ukraine. The remaining 18 aircraft are intended for a F-16 training center in Romania. For years, the F-16 formed the most important part of the Royal Netherlands Air Force's strike force. This role has now been taken over by the F-35. All F-16s will be scrapped.”

At war with Russia for almost two years, Ukraine has been requesting the deployment of better fighters since the first months of the conflict. Last year, the United States authorized the transfer of the planes to Kiev, which should receive the long-awaited F-16s in the first half of 2024.