According to the WSJ, this will make it more difficult for Ukraine to shoot down the Russian military's new jet-powered drones. F-16s require a check of their core systems after 300 hours of flight time.
The US has signed a maintenance contract with the Belgian company
Sabena Aerospace Engineering. Domestically, such maintenance typically takes up to six weeks, whereas in Belgium, it takes up to 40 weeks.
"Ukraine relies on Western assistance to maintain its fighter jet fleet, and delays have resulted in a large portion of its F-16 fleet being grounded," the article notes.
At the same time, it is noted that Russia is increasing its use of jet-powered drones. Since the beginning of September, it has launched approximately 2,000 such UAVs at Ukraine, whereas in June the figure was only 350.
Zelensky previously stated that Belgium would transfer three F-16s to Kyiv by the end of the year.
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