Denmark to deliver first F-16s to Ukraine later than planned

7 January, 2024 F-16 fighter jets of the Royal Danish Air Force. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Denmark The delivery of the first F-16 fighter jets from Denmark to Ukraine is delayed for at least several months.

The Berlingske newspaper reported on this with reference to the country's Ministry of Defence. According to the Danish Ministry of Defence official, six fighter jets will be handed over to Kyiv no earlier than the second quarter of 2024. The Danish Ministry of Defence noted that the F-16 delivery schedule has always depended on the fulfillment of a number of conditions.

These include the successful training of Ukrainian pilots, along with the availability of logistics support, ground personnel, and infrastructure to maintain these fighter jets in Ukraine.

Lockheed Martin F-16AM/BM Fighting Falcon fighter jet of the Danish Air Force. Photo from open sources.

A group of Ukrainian military pilots and maintenance personnel are currently undergoing training in Denmark.

Last fall, Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen stated that Denmark plans to transfer the first F-16 fighter jets from its Air Force to Ukraine in the first quarter of 2024. He also emphasized that Ukraine should be able to both maintain the fighter jets and protect them from Russian attacks. Paulsen emphasized that the goal was to deliver the first aircraft in the first quarter of 2024.

However, this depends on the readiness of the pilots, who need further training. Last but not least, everything also depends on the training of Ukrainian support personnel supposed to service the aircraft. Together with the Netherlands, Denmark leads a coalition of countries that are training Ukrainian pilots and support personnel.

The countries pledged to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets.

F-16BM ET613 during a training flight. Photo from the network

In August 2023, Denmark started training eight Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets of the Royal Danish Air Force. The training takes place at the air base in Skrydstrup, where the Danish Air Force's fighter wing, consisting of the 727th and 730th squadrons, is stationed.

Moreover, 65 personnel will be trained in maintaining and servicing the jets.