Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken said the country plans to transfer its entire fleet of 53 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine by 2029, Vif reported.

Francken acknowledged that despite promises made two years ago, Belgium has not yet delivered a single such aircraft to Kiev.

Under the current schedule, the first seven F-16s are expected to be supplied to Ukraine in 2026. Four of them will be handed over in non-combat-ready condition and are planned to be used as training simulators.

The delay in the aircraft transfer, according to the report, is linked to postponed deliveries of F-35 fighter jets that Belgium ordered from the United States. These aircraft are intended to replace the aging F-16s, many of which have already exhausted their service life.