Belgium could deliver 10 F-16 fighter aircraft to Ukraine by end of 2026 as Russian forces step up use of jet-powered Geran attack UAVs…
Belgium will expand its F-16 delivery plan by increasing the number of fighter aircraft scheduled for delivery to the Ukrainian Air Force by the end of 2026 to 10, up from the previously planned seven.
Under the broader program, Belgium plans to transfer a total of 53 F-16 fighter aircraft to the Ukrainian Air Force by 2029.
The transfer program is closely linked to the Belgian Air Force’s transition from F-16s to F-35A fighter aircraft.
Ukraine uses its F-16 fighter aircraft for air defense missions against Russian cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
However, the increasing speed of jet-powered Geran UAVs is making interception missions more challenging.
The Geran-3 can reach speeds of approximately 300 km/h, while the Geran-4 and Geran-5 can reach 350 km/h and 500 km/h, respectively. More advanced variants are assessed to approach speeds of 600 km/h.
In this context, ammunition manufactured by Belgium-based FN Herstal could offer a lower-cost interception option against jet-powered UAVs when used with the 20 mm M61A1 Vulcan cannon fitted to F-16 fighter aircraft.
The 20 mm M61A1 Vulcan cannon used on F-16 fighter aircraft can fire at a rate of up to 6,000 rounds per minute and carries 511 rounds…