Oleksandr Kozenko discusses strengthening aviation combat capabilities with a Dutch Ministry of Defence delegation

Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine Oleksandr Kozenko held a working meeting with a delegation of the Ministry of Defence of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, led by Commodore Albert Jacobus de Smit, Director of the Ukraine Project Directorate and co-chair of the Air Force Capability Coalition.

The parties discussed the urgent needs of Ukraine’s Air Force and further steps to strengthen the aviation component of the Defence Forces.

Oleksandr Kozenko expressed gratitude to the Government and people of the Netherlands for their unwavering support for Ukraine and underscored Commodore de Smit’s leadership as co-chair of the Air Force Capability Coalition representing the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

During the talks, particular attention was given to enhancing the effectiveness of F-16 fighter aircraft employment amid the intensification of the aggressor’s air attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. In particular, the discussions addressed:

• the potential supply of additional aviation strike assets;
• broadening the weapons portfolio for integration with F-16 platforms;
• modernising protection and countermeasure systems on combat aircraft to counter hostile threats.

The discussions also included a dedicated focus on logistics and technical sustainment. The participants examined ways to improve platform maintenance directly in Ukraine, as well as options to increase European maintenance capacity for scheduled aircraft servicing.

Following the meeting, the parties agreed to further elaborate on the issues discussed and to adopt concrete technical solutions at the next meeting of the Air Force Capability Coalition.