Norway might transfer 12 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine

24 August, 2023 Lockheed Martin F-16AM/BM Fighting Falcon fighters from the 331st Squadron of the 132nd Air Wing of the Norwegian Air Force.

2017. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Norway The Norwegian government has supposedly approved the transfer of F-16 multirole fighter jets to Ukraine.

Local media outlet TV2 reported on this, citing its own sources. It also suggests that Norway might provide 12 fighter jets to Ukraine. This would regard 12 aircraft that the American company Draken International was preparing for sale.

The acquired F-16s were planned to be used as the "Aggressor" side in US air exercises.

Norwegian F-16BM fighter jet

It can be assumed that the agreement was canceled. Norway decommissioned its F-16s in January 2022, and in November of the same year, Romania and Norway signed a EUR388 million deal to sell 32 fighter jets. Norway has received about 60 F-16As and 14 F-16Bs over the course of its operation.

The exact number of aircraft remaining at Norway's disposal after the decommissioning and sale of part of the fleet to Romania is unknown.

Norwegian F-16AM fighter jet. Photo credits: Royal Norwegian Air Force

It is confirmed that the fighter jets purchased by Romania have the M6.5.2 modernization package under the MLU program. This means that the fighter jets can use a wide range of different rocket and missile armament, and have updated avionics.

The aircraft are equipped with the old AN/APG-66(V)2 radar.

The exact type of modernization package that the planes transferred to Ukraine will have is not known.

Probably, they will align with the Romanian F-16s.