PARIS and WASHINGTON – The F-16 fighter jets delivered by the Netherlands to Ukraine are ready for action and are doing “a good job,” said Dutch Defense Minister General Otto Eichelsheim.

The Netherlands will supply Ukraine with 24 of these fighter jets and weapons, with no restrictions on the use of the weapons beyond compliance with international humanitarian law, Eichelsheim said at a press conference in Washington on Wednesday. If Ukraine sees a military need to use its F-16s for deep strikes against Russia, “then there are no restrictions in this regard,” the general said.

According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine used Western-supplied F-16 fighter jets in two waves of attacks this week to shoot down Russian missiles targeting residential areas and energy infrastructure.

Citing the security of the Ukrainian armed forces, Eichelsheim declined to provide any information on how many aircraft are already in use in Ukraine.

The Netherlands is stationing another 18 F-16s in Romania for pilot training, and some of these aircraft may be transferred to Ukraine in the future, the general said. More aircraft would become available to Ukraine as more European countries switch to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, he added.

“The focus should now be on training pilots and technicians well,” said Eichelsheim. “We have the capacity in Romania to train Ukrainian pilots. We will now see a shift from the older pilots who were trained on the MiGs, which we have now converted to the F-16, to young pilots who are just coming out of training.”

The biggest challenge will be to supply the F-16 fleet with personnel and material, said the Dutch general. The Netherlands is providing Ukraine with money and data to keep the jets in the air. The delivery of parts and the overhaul of the aircraft will be carried out mainly by civilian contractors commissioned by the Ukrainian government.

“This will happen within Ukraine, and we will provide the Ukrainians with the financial means to do this,” Eichelsheim said. “Understand that there are always difficulties with this because foreigners may then work on Ukrainian soil. So there will always be a risk.”

F-16 fighter jets and their airfields will be a key target for Russia, and to protect them, a multi-level air defense is needed, according to Eichelsheim. Ukraine has a good sensor system that provides sufficient early warnings so the jets can respond to threats, the general said.

Eichelsheim met with officials in Washington to discuss the Dutch initiative to supply additional Patriot systems to Ukraine, as Zelensky is expected to request more air defense assets following Russian airstrikes this week.

He described Ukraine’s invasion of Russia’s Kursk Oblast as “technically very well executed,” using maneuverability and new techniques and technologies to quickly capture territory. Kiev’s military could decide to expand the push there, Eichelsheim said. In that case, Ukraine’s allies should be prepared to consider requesting military assistance from Kiev to maintain a presence in the Russian oblast.

The operation boosted Ukrainian morale and gave the country a negotiating tool with Russia.

“From a military perspective, they can then pose dilemmas to the Russian Federation, and I think they should do that,” Eichelsheim said. “You have to give them the agility to win the fight when it is so static on the other front,” he added, referring to the fighting in Ukraine.

Russia has continued its offensive in Donbass for the time being, while Ukraine has used up some of its reserves by invading Kursk. Time will tell whether the operation was a strategic success, the general said.

“But strategically, a response from the Russian armed forces would be desirable, and we have not seen such a response so far.”

The continued Russian focus on Donbass “shows something” about how Russian President Vladimir Putin views his territory and his people, Eichelsheim said. “If I were Russian, I would be worried about that.”

Since both sides have dug in “quite deeply,” it will be very difficult for Ukraine to regain territory. To go on the offensive, the country will need material for additional brigades, including artillery ammunition, combat vehicles, battle tanks and electronic warfare equipment, Eichelsheim said.

The Dutch general met with defense contractor RTX during his visit to Washington to discuss cooperation between American and European companies. The talks focused on how to more quickly build missiles needed by Europe and Ukraine, such as FIM-92 Stingers, AIM-120 AMRAAMs and interceptor missiles for the Patriot system.

Eichelsheim said he had received a “very positive” response. European countries now need to be more clear about their needs and timelines and explain what contribution their respective industrial locations can make.

“We need to work out the details in the near future,” Eichelsheim said. “But also: How can we discuss this with the US government? Because they also play an important role. It is US technology that needs to be produced and shared.”

Ruitenberg reported from Paris; Robertson reported from Washington.