Denmark hands over second batch of F-16s to Ukraine
7 December, 2024 F-16 fighters of the Royal Danish Air Force. Photo credits: RDAF The Ukrainian Air Force has received the second batch of Danish F-16 fighters.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi shared that the planes were already in Ukraine. The planes from the first batch provided by the Danes are already shooting down Russian missiles, protecting citizens and important facilities. "Now our air shield has been further strengthened.
If all partners were as determined as we are, we would have already managed to prevent Russian terror. Mette (Danish Prime Minister - ed.), thank you, your team and the entire Danish people," Zelenskyi stated. In total, Denmark is to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets in three batches.
Volodymyr Zelensky and Mette Frederiksen against the background of the Danish F-16 fighter.
August 2023. Denmark. Photo credits: Office of the President of Ukraine
Denmark has pledged to transfer 19 F-16 aircraft, which were modernized under the Mid-Life Update (MLU) program in the 2000s.
In November, Denmark reinforced the Ukrainian Air Force with 6 F-16 multi-role fighters. The future Ukrainian fighters underwent major repairs as part of the MLU program and received, among other things, a more modern AN/APG-66(V)2 radar. As you know, Denmark, together with the Netherlands, led an international coalition of fighter jets within which Ukrainian specialists are learning to fly the F-16.
The Netherlands has already begun to provide spare parts and equipment for the maintenance and repair of Ukrainian F-16s. The first of the 24 promised Dutch fighter jets should arrive in Ukraine by the end of 2024.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky at the air base with F-16 in the Netherlands.
2023. Photo credits: Rob Engelaar/EPA, via Shutterstock
American fighter jets are already being used effectively in Ukraine.
On the morning of November 17, Ukrainian Air Force F-16s shot down about ten air targets while repelling a massive air attack on Ukraine.