Netherlands to Help Maintain Ukraine's F-16 Fleet

The Netherlands has agreed to help Ukraine with maintenance, spare parts, and ammunition for its fleet of F-16 fighter jets, following a phone call between Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Jetten stated that Russia is deliberately attacking civilian and energy infrastructure to make Ukrainian cities uninhabitable, calling further air defense support a matter of life and death. He confirmed Dutch assistance for F-16 technical upkeep and pledged continued support alongside international partners. Ukrainian F-16 pilots currently face shortages of AIM-9 Sidewinder and AMRAAM missiles, forcing reliance on onboard guns. High operational tempo strains maintenance schedules, and AMRAAM supplies are shared with NASAMS systems, with global stockpiles depleted by conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.