From the arrival of the F-16s to the promises of Gripens, here is an updated overview of fighter jet deliveries and orders to Ukraine to counter Russia.
Summary
Since the Russian invasion in 2022, Ukraine has received combat aircraft from several Western allies to modernize its air force. The most significant are the F-16AM/BMs from the Dutch, Norwegian, Danish, and Belgian fleets, of which nearly 30 have already been delivered by the Netherlands. France has announced the delivery of several Mirage 2000-5 aircraft for 2025. In addition, Ukraine has opened discussions to acquire up to 100 to 150 Swedish Saab JAS 39 Gripen-E/F aircraft. The exact budget for each transfer varies, but the Dutch donation included some €230 million in missile and ammunition support. These aircraft are part of a transformation of Ukraine’s air superiority and missile defense capabilities. The challenge remains: rapid crew training, maintenance logistics, and platform integration in a context of active warfare.
Actual aircraft transfers to Ukraine
The cornerstone of Western air support for Ukraine is the transfer of Western multi-role fighters. The most advanced case is that of NATO member states equipped with the F-16 Fighting Falcon. The Netherlands officially completed the delivery of 24 F-16s to Ukraine in May 2025, after several stages.
In addition, Norway stated in a report that it had planned or delivered 14 F-16s to Ukraine, while the number publicly announced was six. Denmark has committed to a total of 19 F-16s.
At the same time, France announced the transfer of several Mirage 2000-5 aircraft to Ukraine. The French president mentioned an unspecified number in early 2025, and some media outlets have mentioned six aircraft.
These aircraft are being delivered in the context of active warfare. They are not merely symbolic: the F-16, for example, has already been used to intercept Russian cruise missiles.
The challenge for Ukraine is to quickly integrate these new types with its Soviet-era fleets (MiG-29, Su-27, Su-25) and redeploy its resources in a highly contested airspace.
Promises and orders for additional aircraft
Beyond the transfers already made, Ukraine and its allies have made promises that will change the future balance of air power. The Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, and Norway are jointly aiming for a total of around 85 to 95 F-16s for Ukraine in the long term. Belgium has specifically committed to delivering 30 F-16s by 2028.
Regarding Swedish aircraft, the Stockholm government announced in October 2025 a “letter of intent” to explore the export of 100 to 150 Saab JAS 39 Gripen-E aircraft to Ukraine.
Each aircraft requires a budget that includes adaptation, ammunition, training, maintenance, and infrastructure. Although the exact amounts per unit are not always public, weapons aid associated with the Dutch donation reached €80 million for air-to-air missiles and €150 million for air-to-ground ammunition.
These promises reflect a long-term strategy: Ukraine aims not only to defend itself but also to project a standardized “Western” air force, rather than one simply inherited from the Soviet fleet.
The role of training and infrastructure in absorbing new aircraft
Transferring aircraft is one thing, but flying them effectively is quite another challenge. To ensure that deliveries fulfill their purpose, Ukraine and its allies have put in place a robust training program. The European F-16 Training Center (EFTC) in Fetești, Romania, was designed to accommodate Ukrainian pilots, mechanics, and armourers.
For example, the F-16AM/BM (Block 15 MLU version) requires complex parts procurement, skilled personnel hours, simulators, and maintenance logistics. For a country at war, this is a major leap in capability. The conversion time for a pilot qualified on a Soviet aircraft to a Western F-16 is estimated at several dozen weeks, including IFR phases, in-flight refueling, air-to-ground and air-to-air BVR weaponry.
At the same time, Ukraine must modernize its ground facilities, secure its runways, shelters, MRO chains, and logistics chain. In the Russian context, air bases are regularly exposed to strikes, which further complicates implementation. Some analysts point out that without effective defensive cover, the primary function of a modern fighter remains vulnerable. Thus, the number of aircraft delivered is not enough: it is the overall integration capability that will determine success.
Budgetary, technical, and strategic challenges
One of the major challenges is the total cost of ownership. A Western-designed aircraft costs more per flight hour than its Soviet counterparts, due to avionics systems, guided munitions, modern radars, and sensors. Supplier countries must also provide training, ammunition, and support. The Dutch example shows that the donation is not free: €230 million worth of weapons were included in the transfer.
Technically, the maintenance of F-16s and Mirages requires different standards, often licensed parts, and a NATO supply chain. In the absence of a local maintenance chain, Ukraine is heavily dependent on its allies for parts and support, which can become a factor of vulnerability.
Strategically, the aircraft delivered are arriving in an area where Russia retains advanced air defense capabilities (S-400, long-range missiles, saturation drones) and numerical superiority. Even modern fighters cannot operate alone: they must act in coordination with ISR, in-flight refueling, surveillance drones, and EW systems. Without this architecture, the room for maneuver remains limited. The challenge is therefore comprehensive: aircraft + training + support + joint doctrine.
Potential effects on the war and Ukraine’s defense posture
The arrival of Western aircraft may have several tangible and other more subtle effects. Immediately, Ukraine increases its interception, strike, and tactical superiority capabilities, which may reduce Russian strikes on critical infrastructure, such as energy or logistics systems. The F-16, for example, is already being used to intercept Russian cruise missiles.
In the medium term, standardizing a Western fleet creates a NATO-style integrated air defense, facilitates joint command, shared ammunition, and ongoing training. This strengthens Ukrainian resilience.
In the longer term, transforming the Ukrainian air force into a NATO-compatible force reduces dependence on obsolete Soviet equipment and increases its attractiveness for international engagements. It can also deter the aggressor by increasing the cost of its operations.
However, there is a downside: modern aircraft become priority targets. Their destruction or immobilization costs as much as a new modern aircraft. If the war drags on, the challenge of maintaining operational readiness (MCO) becomes exponential. As a result, Ukraine must not only receive aircraft but also ensure their support over several years.
Some key figures to remember
- 24 F-16s delivered by the Netherlands to Ukraine in May 2025.
- 14 F-16s promised or delivered by Norway in 2024, according to an official report.
- 30 F-16s promised by Belgium by 2028.
- Six Mirage 2000-5s announced by France for delivery in early 2025.
- Potential volume for the purchase of 100 to 150 Swedish Gripen aircraft in the medium term.
- Weapons support associated with Dutch F-16s: €80 million for missiles + €150 million for ammunition.
Ukraine is currently engaged in a phase of accelerated modernization of its air force. Aircraft deliveries are a reality, but the real challenge lies in the ability to fly them, integrate them into a logistics chain and a modern warfare doctrine. In a prolonged conflict, the aircraft is not everything: its operational maintenance, its synergy with ground defense and drones, and its resilience to enemy strikes are just as critical. The increase in deliveries and the opening of new orders (notably for Gripen) point to a future in which Ukraine could acquire a NATO-type air force. But this trajectory will depend on the long-term industrial, logistical, and strategic commitment of Western allies.
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