Belgium has signed a bilateral security agreement with Ukraine to provide support over 10 years. This year, the document states that the country will provide €977M in military support. In addition, as part of the agreement, Belgium will transfer 30 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine by 2028, which Ukraine will only be able to use in its territory. The first planes should arrive by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, Sweden has suspended plans to provide Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine in order to focus on F-16 deliveries.
In turn, Latvia will invest €20M in creating an army of drones for Ukraine. The country plans to provide Ukraine’s military with 1,000 drones this year. At least €10M worth of drones will be purchased from Latvian companies for delivery to Ukraine.
The Netherlands is assembling a Patriot air defense system for Ukraine.
It also became known that the Ukrainian military has received the latest version of the NASAMS 3 system.
According to BILD sources, NATO member states are discussing the possibility of limiting the airspace over western Ukraine to protect against attacks by the Russian Federation.