The Netherlands is withdrawing its last F-16 fighters from service with the Royal Air Force., 27 September the last aircraft was taken out of service. The Netherlands switches to F-35 operations. This was stated by Minister of Defense Ruben Brekelmans.
The Netherlands will no longer operate F-16 fighters, served in the country's air force 45 years, the last four aircraft made their farewell flight over Amsterdam. However, the planes will not be written off, they will be transferred to Ukraine to confront Russia.
Today the Ministry of Defense officially said goodbye to the legendary aircraft. After 45 years of faithful service and many missions, the aircraft will receive a new life in Ukraine and Romania,” said the Dutch minister, adding, that the Netherlands is donating the last F-16s to Ukraine to “fight the Russians”.
In total, the Netherlands promised to transfer to Kyiv 24 F-16 fighter from its own air force, 14 of which have already been sent to Romania to train Ukrainian pilots. The remaining aircraft must be in the Netherlands, unless some part of them was sent to Ukraine without publicity.
In the summer, Kyiv received the first batch of ten American fighters from the Danish Air Force. By the end of the year, the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces should be replenished with a second batch of nine F-16s, also from Denmark.. The Netherlands also promised to deliver the aircraft by the end of this year..
