F‑16s set to support Ukraine soon. They are ready
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte reported on X, previously known as Twitter, that the promised F-16 fighters from the Netherlands to support Ukraine will be dispatched to a training center in Romania within two weeks. He announced this commitment following discussions with the President of Ukraine last Monday.
7:46 AM EDT, October 31, 2023
Through a post on Platform X, Prime Minister Rutte stressed the Netherlands' unwavering commitment to Ukraine in its struggle against Russian hostility. He emphasized that the turbulent situation in Israel and the Gaza Strip doesn't detract from the Netherlands' focus on the Ukrainian-Russian conflict. Rutte noted, that curbing Russian aggression is not just a matter of existence for Ukraine but also concerns the security of all of Europe.
The Dutch head of state also noted that moving the F-16 planes to a training center in Romania would expedite the commencement of training for Ukrainian pilots. He stated that the Netherlands, in conjunction with Denmark, plays a pivotal role in supplying Ukraine with F-16 fighters. As previously mentioned by Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren, between 12 to 18 of these aircraft will be directed to Ukraine.
Mark Rutte also announced that the Netherlands will be transferring patrol cutters to Ukraine. These are designed with the aim of securing an alternative grain export corridor via the Black Sea.
In his post on X, Prime Minister Rutte also highlighted the atrocities Russia has committed in Ukraine. He underscored that the Netherlands is actively involved in criminal investigations regarding these issues. He revealed that the fourth Dutch forensic mission, under the International Criminal Tribunal, is amassing evidence of war crimes currently occurring in Ukraine.
Netherland's F-16s En Route to Ukraine
The arrival of fighters from the Netherlands will be a significant bolster for Ukraine's defensive position. Their contribution to the cause is invaluable, as the equipment is designed to provide a sizeable edge over adversaries in aerial combat. Aircraft developed by General Dynamics are sought after by militaries globally.
Depending on the specific model, F-16s are equipped with either Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-200/220 or General Electric F-110-FE-100 power units. This enables them to reach a maximum speed of approximately 1,550 miles per hour. An F-16's range is approximately 2,000 miles, or around 2,620 miles when using additional fuel tanks. The primary weaponry for these American planes is a 20mm M61A cannon, supplemented with AGM-65G2 Maverick air-to-ground missiles.
