Belgium is preparing to transfer seven F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine and may eventually provide its entire fleet of the aircraft.

Axar.az reports, citing Ukrainian media, Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken made the statement ahead of a NATO defense ministers' meeting.

He said Belgium will deliver seven F-16s this year, including three operational aircraft and four for spare parts, and added that Brussels is considering a much broader transfer in the future.

“I'll propose to the government to send all our F-16s to Ukraine in the coming years. It depends on having the F-35s in place because, of course, we have DCA [defensive counter-air] capacity. We have our role in the nuclear doctrine of NATO,” Francken said.

It should be noted that Belgium’s air force currently operates more than 40 F-16 fighter jets and is awaiting deliveries of US-made F-35 aircraft.