US Awards $235M F-16 Maintenance Contract to Sabena for Ukraine
The United States has awarded a $235.4 million contract to Belgium’s Sabena Aerospace Engineering to provide depot-level and intermediate maintenance for F-16 fighter jets operated by Ukraine, according to a Pentagon announcement.
The ceiling, time-and-materials and firm-fixed-price deal funds aircraft and engine maintenance plus material management under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) framework, with work set to run through January 28, 2029.
Contract Details and Scope
The award was issued on a sole-source basis, meaning Sabena was selected without a competitive bidding process. At signing, nearly $70 million in FMS funds were obligated to start support activities.
Under the terms, Sabena will carry out both intermediate and depot-level aircraft servicing, complex repairs, engine overhauls and supply chain management for parts and materials. All work will be performed at the company’s facilities in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Belgium, through late January 2029.
The contracting authority is the Air Force Lifecycle Management Center at Hill Air Force Base in Utah.
Strategic Context
Ukraine began flying Western-built F-16s in August 2024. These jets mark a significant step in Kyiv’s efforts to modernize its air force and enhance air defense and strike capabilities. Maintaining high sortie rates in a combat environment requires deep industrial support beyond routine field maintenance, a need the Sabena contract is designed to meet.
F-16s donated by European partners are arriving as part of a broader coalition effort. Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway have pledged jets to Ukraine. These transfers substantially expand Kyiv’s inventory of advanced fighters.
Why This Contract Matters
Depot-level maintenance involves detailed inspections, structural repairs, engine overhauls and reassembly tasks that go far beyond standard squadron-level servicing. Without such support, sustaining long-term operations of a combat fleet would be difficult. Sabena’s facilities in Belgium already support various military platforms and have decades of experience in complex aircraft servicing.
This contract reflects the US government’s focus on ensuring that Ukraine’s modern aircraft remain mission capable as they are integrated into frontline operations. It also shows how FMS frameworks are being used to channel Pentagon funding to allied industrial partners to support the Ukrainian war effort.
Broader Sustainment Landscape
Earlier US and allied initiatives included F-16 training and sustainment packages and related logistical support approved under FMS programs. These combined efforts aim to help Ukraine build out the full lifecycle infrastructure needed for Western combat aircraft.
What Comes Next
Work at Sabena is expected to continue into 2029, offering Ukraine a critical node for keeping its F-16s airborne. As the fleet grows with additional NATO-donated jets, sustainment contracts and logistical planning will remain central to Ukraine’s air combat effectiveness.
