Netherlands donates six more F-16 fighters to Ukraine, after sale to Draken fell apart

The Hague and training services provider Draken International discontinued negotiations for the purchase of six retired Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16 fighters, which will end up in Ukrainian hands.

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Minister of Defense of the Netherlands @DefensieMin announced that ???????? is readying 6 additional F-16 fighter aircraft for delivery to ????????.
The total number of F-16s to be delivered is 24.

We are grateful to our Dutch partners for… pic.twitter.com/zbUnBZuXlE

— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) February 5, 2024

Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren and State Secretary Christophe van der Maat of the Netherlands ended talks on the possible sale of six F-16 fighters to Draken International. Both sides concluded that the sale and delivery of these F-16s will not go ahead in the short term.

The Netherlands had agreed with the U.S. company to sell 12 F-16s, and support equipment, in 2021. Draken would use these aircraft to expand its own fleet with fourth-generation aircraft, in order to gain a better position in the competition for «adversary air support» contracts and tenders for the U.S. Armed Forces. Included in the contract was a clause giving the company the option to purchase an additional 28 F-16s, which would be phased out by 2024.

However, this sale did not go through, after which the Netherlands offered Draken the opportunity to purchase a further 6 F-16 fighter aircraft in the future. This would be on terms yet to be determined. After talks with Draken ended without an agreement, the aircraft will be received by Ukraine.

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The six aircraft will now be added to the 18 F-16s being prepared for delivery to Ukraine. The fighters will be destined for the European F-16 Training Center in Romania.

For many years, the F-16 formed the most important part of the Royal Netherlands Air Force strike force, but this role has now been taken over by the F-35. All F-16s will be sold.