Netherlands to Help Train Senior Technicians for Ukrainian F-16s

The Netherlands Air Force will help train 26 Ukrainian military personnel as F-16 senior technicians.

The Dutch Ministry of Defense announced this following a meeting between the defense ministers of Ukraine and the Netherlands.

The training will reportedly take place at an unnamed air base and will last until the end of April. Despite the Netherlands initiating this training, the Dutch army is not directly involved in the training itself.

The senior technician is responsible for:

• serviceability and combat readiness, completeness and quality of aircraft preparation for flight;
• training of subordinate technical crew members in the rules and practical skills of performing work on the aircraft;
• serviceability and safety of tools and equipment assigned to him/her;
• protection of classified equipment installed on the aircraft;
• preservation of aircraft munitions of the first munition.

In addition, senior technicians are responsible for final checks and accept the aircraft from the pilot upon return. He reports to the head of the technical and operational unit and is the direct supervisor of the technical crew.

Ukraine’s Defense Minister, Rustem Umerov, announced the transfer of a new batch of F-16s from the Netherlands in 2025. This will be the second batch of aircraft from the Netherlands, the first was delivered in October 2024.

In addition, the minister announced agreements on the distribution of €400 million announced in October 2024 for the purchase of drones for the Ukrainian Defense Forces. He also announced the preparation of joint projects on long-range capabilities.

According to the original plan, it was announced that almost half of them would be developed in the Netherlands.

“The Netherlands has previously played a pioneering role in the supply of F-16s and Patriot systems, and we are now continuing this with advanced drones by investing €400 million in a drone action plan. This covers all types of advanced drones that can be used for reconnaissance, defense and attack. Especially in the air, but also on the ground and at sea,” previously stated former Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans.

The Netherlands has officially approved the transfer of 24 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. In addition, they are providing spare parts and equipment for the maintenance and repair of these combat aircraft.

The Netherlands is also financing the purchase of weapons for Ukrainian F-16s. On March 21, 2024, it was announced that €150 million would be allocated for the purchase of weapons. On July 30, 2024, an additional €300 million was allocated.

In addition, Ukrainian pilots are being trained on F-16 fighter jets in Romania, provided by the Netherlands.