Belgium promises Ukraine 10 F-16 jets by year-end as F-35s arrive

Belgium has pledged to deliver ten F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine by the end of this year, a commitment announced by Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever following EU summit talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Brussels. The jets are critically needed by Ukrainian forces to counter Russian jet-powered drones, which have given Moscow an advantage in the air war. De Wever noted the previous delay was due to Belgium awaiting its own F-35 jets to maintain NATO obligations, but those are now arriving. The F-16's 20-millimeter cannon is one of the few weapons effective against fast drones, as Ukrainian F-16s reportedly lack sufficient missiles and have had to rely on guns.