Through the publication of its list of contracts signed through 29 January, the United States disclosed that it has awarded a new agreement worth US$235.4 million to Sabena Aerospace Engineering, which will ensure maintenance and logistical support for the Ukrainian Air Force’s fleet of F-16 fighters. Specifically, this is a Belgian company headquartered in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, selected for the task by the F-16 System Program Office for Foreign Military Sales (FMS).
Expanding on some details, the newly announced contract is intended to provide support for the intermediate-level maintenance that the F-16s and their engines may require, as well as storage space for spare parts and other related materials. It is also known that all work covered by the agreement would be carried out on Belgian territory, while in terms of timelines, the U.S. Department of Defense’s official notice indicates it will run through 28 January 2029.
In addition, the U.S. defense department also confirmed that this is a single-source action, for which a total of US$69.7 million had already been disbursed at the time the contract was awarded, using funds provided under the FMS program. As the contracting activity, the role was specified as being held by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, located at Hill Air Force Base (Utah).
On the other hand, it is useful to note that Sabena Aerospace Engineering is already an industrial player with experience providing maintenance support for F-16 fleets, both for Belgium’s own air capabilities and for other NATO partners. According to its official website, this includes scheduled inspections, structural and component repairs of various kinds, as well as support for the engines that power the fighters. Moreover, selecting a European company underscores an intention to shorten logistical chains and delivery times associated with this type of work, thereby speeding up the aircraft’s return to the front in Ukraine.
Finally, reviewing some recent precedents affecting Ukraine’s F-16 fighter fleet, it is worth recalling that the United States has authorized the sale of a significant batch of 3,350 new ERAM missiles in exchange for an investment exceeding US$800 million—thus expanding the aircraft’s long-range strike capabilities. The package also included GPS and INS systems and Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) units, as well as containers for weapons storage and other related items. In addition, a US$25.9 million agreement was also reached with Lockheed Martin to develop manuals, documentation, and technical material tailored to the Ukrainian Air Force’s requirements.
Images used for illustrative purposes
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