Netherlands surplus F-16s in exchange for MiG-29s for Ukraine

The Netherlands government is considering transferring some of its surplus F-16s to a NATO ally, so that the latter in turn can give its MiG-29s to Ukraine.

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According to EW Magazine, The Hague is considering supplying surplus F-16MLU fighters to NATO allies in Eastern Europe so that they, in turn, can donate MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine.

The deputies have been informed confidentially. To make this transaction effective, like all defense articles produced by American companies, Washington must give its approval.

The candidates for the exchange

Since almost the beginning of the war, Ukraine has been asking its Western allies to provide it with all kinds of assistance, in particular, fighter planes to be able to face the Russian Air Force (VKS).

Although the Ukrainian Air Force has been asking for the transfer of Western fighters, and now there are voices supporting this initiative, NATO has been reticent about the idea.

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There has been much talk of supplying Ukraine with MiG-29 aircraft from the former Warsaw Pact countries, which after the fall of the Iron Curtain became NATO members. In particular, Poland, Slovakia and Bulgaria, which still have these aircraft in active service, were mentioned.

In fact, in early July, Slovak Prime Minister Eduard Heger announced that he would donate 12 MiG-29s to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. In return, the Czech Republic Air Force would take over the security of Slovak airspace. A similar arrangement had been reached with Poland in early May, when its defense minister agreed with his Slovak counterpart that Polish aircraft would protect its airspace if Slovakia ceded its MiG-29s to Ukraine.

However, there are no clear indications that the transfer of the Slovak Fulcrum to Ukraine has taken place. What is obvious, however, is that spare parts from these countries are helping to keep the Ukrainian MiG-29s flying.

See also: U.S. to send MiG-29 aircraft to Ukraine, but as a source of spare parts

Surplus F-16MLUs from the Netherlands could end up replacing Polish MiG-29s while the recently contracted Korean FA-50s arrive. Poland has 36 F-16Cs and 12 F-16Ds, which, while much more modern than the Dutch fighters, would allow them to be absorbed without major complications, having much of their logistics in common.

Another strong candidate would be Bulgaria, which has plans to retire its aging MiG-29 Fulcrum from 2023, and was interested in leasing a squadron of Western fighters to secure its air defense until the arrival of the first eight examples of modern F-16 Block 70s from 2025.