Belgium will send three F-16 fighter jets, but maintenance delays may keep Ukraine from using them

Belgium has pledged to send three F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine this year, according to Defense Express, citing a Wall Street Journal editorial. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also confirmed the delivery on the same day. The F-16s are crucial for intercepting Russian cruise missiles and drones, which have become increasingly common in recent attacks.

However, the maintenance of these jets in Belgium may take an unusually long time, potentially delaying their operational use. Routine inspections for these aircraft can take up to 40 weeks in Belgium, significantly longer than the 2-6 week average in the United States, according to retired US Navy Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery. The prolonged maintenance process is primarily handled by Belgian company Sabena Aerospace Engineering, which Defense Express estimates takes 6-20 times longer than US maintenance times.

This delay could hinder Ukraine's ability to effectively utilize the new jets until the maintenance issue is addressed. Belgium plans to provide a total of seven F-16s this year: three for operational use and four for spare parts, as stated by Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken in June.