Delivery of F-35 fighter jets to Denmark delayed

22 November, 2023 The first F-35A fighter jets in Denmark. September 14, 2023. Photo credits: Danish Armed Forces

The delivery of fifth-generation F-35A fighter jets to the Danish Air Force is at risk of being further delayed. Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen announced this, Bloomberg reports. The new American fighter jets are to replace Denmark's existing F-16 fighter jets, which the country will gradually transfer to Ukraine as part of its military aid.

The delay is due to technological problems at the American manufacturer Lockheed Martin. According to the Minister, "there is currently no clear picture" of when the next F-35A fighter jets will arrive due to problems with the modernization of the software used on the aircraft.

F-35A fighter jet with the number L-007 of the Royal Danish Air Force. May 2023, USA.

Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Denmark

Poulsen added that he is in dialogue with his American colleagues to find a possible solution. The Danish Defense Minister has previously warned that the delivery of new fighter jets, which was originally scheduled for the first half of 2024, would be delayed by at least six months. However, despite this situation, Lund Poulsen assured that he does not expect the delays with the F-35A to affect the delivery of F-16s to Ukraine or any of Denmark's NATO commitments.

Denmark has ordered a total of 27 fifth-generation F-35A fighter jets to replace its F-16 fleet.

The first F-35A fighter jets in Denmark. September 14, 2023. Photo credits: Danish Armed Forces

The first four fighter jets for the Royal Danish Air Force landed at Skrydstrup Air Base on September 14 this year.

The fighter jets flew from the United States to their home airfield in Denmark in two days. During the flight, the fighter jets made a stopover in the Azores in the Atlantic. Previously, Denmark has officially confirmed the transfer of 19 F-16 multirole fighter jets to Ukraine as part of the military assistance.

More than 70 Ukrainian military personnel have already arrived in Denmark for F-16 training.