Ukraine discusses F-16 maintenance localization with Belgium

Ukraine is discussing with Belgium the localization of F-16 fighter jet maintenance within the country.

Rustem Umierov, Minister of Defense of Ukraine, announced this.

He met with his Belgian counterpart Theo Francken and congratulated him on his appointment.

During the meeting, the parties discussed strengthening the Ukrainian Air Force. In particular, they discussed the F-16 program and its further implementation.

They also discussed the possibility of localizing the maintenance of these fighter jets in Ukraine and training Ukrainian pilots and technicians.

As part of its military assistance, Belgium will transfer 30 of its F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine by 2028.

In addition, the ministers focused on strengthening Ukraine’s air defense, particularly the supply and localization of air defense systems.

The parties also discussed new joint defense projects and their financing.

Drone interception

In early November last year, Herman Smetanin, Ukraine’s Minister for Strategic Industries, announced that the Belgian company Thales Belgium would help Ukraine organize the joint production of 70mm FZ275 LGR missiles, which will be designed to counter Russian drones.

These missiles will be equipped with the new FZ123 warhead, which is specially designed to effectively counter drones. The warhead consists of an explosive charge and several thousand steel balls.

According to Smetanin, this cooperation may expand in the future to include the transfer of relevant technologies to Ukraine for the independent production of FZ275 LGR missiles.

Thanks to its unified 70 mm caliber, this missile will be able to be used with Vampire systems, which the Ukrainian Armed Forces use to intercept enemy drones.