Dutch Missiles for Kyiv’s F-16s can be Used Only Within Ukrainian Airspace

The Netherlands is going to provide air-to-air missiles for Ukrainian F-16s that can use to defend Ukrainian airspace.

This means Ukraine cannot use the air-to-air missiles for its operations inside Russia such as the current attempt to capture land in the Kursk region. However, it can use the missiles to shoot at Russian warplanes if they come inside Ukrainian airspace.

Included in a new support package is maintenance equipment and materials for the F-16s, Dutch Minister of Defence Ruben Brekelmans announced this at today’s meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG), held at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

“The F-16 aircraft need support materials and spare parts for maintenance, otherwise they cannot fly. The Netherlands will supply €80 million worth of materials. Besides large quantities of spare parts, these include generators, small vehicles, essential maintenance materials, specialised tools, and stairs.

With the air-to-air missiles, Ukraine can take down enemy aircraft.” For reasons of operational safety, the minister did not provide any specifics about the quantities or types involved.

Nor did he comment on the planned delivery time, but the intention is to have the materials reach Ukraine as soon as possible.